You Pay Nothing if There Is No Recovery
HellaHurt works on a contingency fee basis. No fees or case costs unless there's a recovery.
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How Contingency Fees Work
A contingency fee agreement means If Counterpoint Legal accepts a case, attorney fees and responsibility for case costs are explained in a written agreement.
- 33% — Pre-Litigation Settlement
- Cases resolved before filing a lawsuit — the most common outcome.
- 40% — After Filing a Lawsuit
- Cases that require filing a complaint and entering formal litigation.
- 45% — After Trial or Appeal
- Cases that go to trial or require appellate work.
Exact percentages are disclosed in your written retainer agreement before you sign. California law requires this disclosure.
What You Keep From Your Settlement
- Your gross settlement terms: The total amount recovered from the insurance company or defendant.
- Minus: Attorney's contingency fee: Our percentage of the gross recovery (33–45% depending on case stage).
- Minus: Case costs (if any): Filing fees, expert witnesses, and medical records may be advanced by us and handled from a recovery as described in your written agreement.
- Your net recovery: The amount paid directly to you.
Why Contingency Fees Protect You
- Zero financial risk: No fees or case costs unless there's a recovery.
- Aligned incentives: We only win when you win. That means we're motivated to pursue the compensation the law allows for your losses, not bill you by the hour.
- Access to justice: Contingency fees let injured people hire experienced attorneys regardless of their financial situation.
- No surprise bills: Your fee is disclosed in writing before you sign. California law requires it, and we go beyond the minimum.
Fee FAQs
What does ‘you pay nothing if there is no recovery’ mean?
It means you pay nothing for attorney fees or case costs if we do not recover money for you. If there is a recovery, our written agreement explains the contingency fee and how case costs are handled from that recovery.
Are there any upfront costs?
No. We advance case costs such as filing fees, expert witnesses, medical record retrieval, and deposition costs. If there is a recovery, the written agreement explains how costs are handled from that recovery. If there is no recovery, you pay nothing.
What if there is no recovery?
You pay nothing for attorney fees or case costs if there is no recovery. We will explain the contingency-fee agreement in writing before you decide whether to hire us.
How are fees and case costs addressed?
Fee and case-cost treatment are stated in the written agreement. Review that agreement for the terms applicable to a particular matter.
Do I pay anything if I switch attorneys mid-case?
If you switch attorneys, your prior attorney may be entitled to a quantum meruit (reasonable value) fee for work already performed. We'll explain this clearly before you retain us.
Are contingency fees regulated in California?
Yes. California Business & Professions Code §6147 requires written contingency fee agreements and mandates that clients receive a copy. All HellaHurt retainer agreements comply with California State Bar requirements.
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Check your case for free online. No account needed. If there is no recovery, you pay nothing.