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The office accepts representation through a written agreement signed by both parties. A draft sent for orientation is not for signature and does not mean the case has been accepted. Read the entire final agreement and resolve questions before signing.
The following points summarize the office’s contractual guidance for personal-injury matters. They do not replace the applicable agreement, professional rules, or required court approvals.
Contingency fees and expenses
Accepted matters require no retainer or advance attorney-fee payment. Contingency fees are charged if there is a financial recovery through an agreement, payment, or judgment. Without recovery, those contingency fees are not charged; expense obligations may remain under the agreement.
The office’s guidance provides for 33% of an adult claimant’s gross recovery and 25% of a minor’s allocation, subject to applicable rules and approvals. Adult and minor allocations are calculated separately. “Gross” means before expenses, advances, liens, or reimbursements are deducted.
Expenses are separate from attorney fees. They may include filing, service, copies, delivery, certifications, investigation, depositions, transcripts, paralegal services, examinations, and expert reports. Expert fees and evaluations are the client’s responsibility under the agreement.
The contractual guidance permits necessary individual expenditures up to $250 without prior written approval; larger amounts require written authorization. The office may advance some smaller expenses, but clients should not assume it funds every expense.
Gross recovery, deductions, and net proceeds
After recovery, the office prepares an itemized statement showing the gross amount, attorney fees, reimbursable expenses, outstanding items, third-party reimbursements, and net client proceeds. Advanced expenses not paid during the case are deducted under the agreement after attorney fees are calculated.
Valid reimbursement or subrogation claims may arise from health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, ACAA, insurers, or other entities that paid related benefits. A dispute may require holding funds in trust until resolved.
With multiple claimants, allocation depends on the individual claims, agreement, settlements, and applicable court orders. Do not assume the full settlement amount will be paid directly to the client.
Minors and joint representation
A settlement involving a minor may require court approval and additional proceedings to protect the minor’s interests. Funds may remain deposited or held by the court, subject to its orders and the applicable age or authorization requirements. Immediate availability is not promised.
In joint representation, case information may be shared among the represented clients and their lawyer. An irreconcilable conflict may require withdrawal from representing one, several, or all clients under applicable rules.
Cooperation, communication, and technology
Keep your address, telephone, email, treatment, medical condition, employment, and injury information current. Disclose complete facts, including unfavorable ones, and cooperate with records, meetings, depositions, and appearances.
Email or office-authorized written channels are preferred. Reserve calls for urgent matters or scheduled conversations. The agreement may address digital storage, cloud services, and artificial-intelligence tools under attorney supervision; the attorney retains professional responsibility. Discuss their scope and conditions before signing.
Ending representation and no guarantees
A client may request to end representation; court permission may be needed in pending litigation. The contractual guidance provides, in that situation, for $185 per hour for services performed plus expenses, subject to the agreement and applicable law. Clarify this provision before signing: it differs from the ordinary contingency fee.
The attorney may seek withdrawal for justified professional reasons, such as lack of cooperation, breach, conflict, or lack of communication, under applicable rules and approval requirements.
No settlement, favorable verdict, amount, or duration is guaranteed. Evidence, defenses, coverage, and court decisions can change the assessment. Ask questions at fvizcarrondo@fjvtlaw.com before signing.
The answer for your situation depends on the facts and records. An inquiry does not suspend legal deadlines or guarantee that the office will accept the case.