Accident Lawyer Tips Attorney Fees and Legal Costs 3

Question 1

What does the term 'pro bono' mean in the context of legal services?

Accepted Answer

Legal services provided free of charge or at significantly reduced cost

Answer

Pro bono refers to legal work performed voluntarily at no charge, typically for clients who cannot afford legal representation.

Question 2

How do most contingency fee agreements typically handle the cost of obtaining medical records?

Accepted Answer

The cost is typically included in case expenses and deducted from the final recovery

Answer

Medical record retrieval costs are generally treated as case expenses advanced by the firm and deducted from the settlement or award along with other costs.

Question 3

What is a 'fee dispute' between a client and their accident attorney?

Accepted Answer

A disagreement between the client and attorney regarding fee amounts or charges

Answer

A fee dispute arises when a client disagrees with their attorney about the amount charged or the application of the fee agreement, which can be resolved through negotiation or state bar arbitration.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a law firm's IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts) account?

Accepted Answer

To hold client funds separately from the firm's own operating funds

Answer

An IOLTA account holds client funds — including settlement proceeds — separately from firm operating funds to protect clients and comply with legal ethics rules.

Question 5

Under what circumstance might an attorney ethically charge a higher contingency fee percentage?

Accepted Answer

When the case is highly complex or has a low probability of success

Answer

Higher contingency fees may be ethically justified when a case involves significant complexity, legal risk, or a low probability that the attorney will ultimately be compensated.

Accident Lawyer Tips Practice Test

Accident Lawyer Tips Practice Test

Accident Lawyer Tips Attorney Fees and Legal Costs 3