Nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys charge on a contingency basis, meaning that the fee depends on the outcome of your case. This is explained in more detail below.
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Contingency fees
A contingency fee, as the name suggests, is contingent upon the outcome of the case. Rather than charging a client an hourly fee, an attorney charges a percentage of the final award. Whether the case ends in settlement or after trial, a contingency fee comes out of the amount awarded or received. If the case is lost, there is no fee. Initial consultations are generally free.
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Why lawyers charge this way
Attorneys take on the risk in these cases, rather than the client. If they lose, there is no fee, even if the litigation has cost them $100,000 over several years. The reward they get in return for taking this risk is about 1/3 of the money awarded to their client. For clients, this means that they can afford the best attorney out there. It costs them nothing up front. For attorneys, this arrangement means that they only take cases they think they can win, as well as cases where the recovery amount will be greater than the costs of pursuing the case. In nursing home abuse and neglect, this means attorneys usually reject cases that don't involve significant injury to the resident.
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How to find a good attorney
If you suspect or know that a loved one or family member is suffering from abuse or neglect at a nursing home, do something about it. Notify their caregivers. Report it to the state. If there is a resulting injury or death, contact an attorney. Find someone in the county where the nursing home is located. Ask about their experience. An attorney who handles nursing home cases often is your best bet.
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