Is it Possible to Hire a Lawyer to Prosecute a Bed Sore Case If I Don’t Have Much Money?

By Nursing Home Law Center

Yes. Most attorneys who represent individuals and families in bed sore cases do so on a contingency fee basis. Simply put, a contingency fee is a payment based on a recovery for the injured person. In a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney receives no payment until the case is tried to verdict or settled. After all the work has been done, the attorney receives a percentage of the recovery.

The percentage of the recovery a lawyer charges is dependent on the type of case and the complexity of the matter. Nonetheless, the exact percentage should be agreed upon in writing soon after the lawyer has been retained.

In all cases, there is a chance there will be no recovery — the case may not have merit, or the defendant could go bankrupt. Under a contingency fee contract, if the lawyer does not win the case then the client will not be required to pay a fee. The client is not responsible for paying the lawyer for any of the time he spent on the case.

The ability to collect a percentage of the settlement or judgment provides a solid incentive for a lawyer to best serve a client. This is another reason why contingency plans are very popular with clients. After all, the potential financial reward of getting the highest settlement benefits the client and the attorney equally.

Related Information

• What are some common defenses used by nursing homes and hospitals in lawsuits involving pressure sores?
• How much money does it cost to pursue a claim or lawsuit for bed sores?
• Much Easier to Prevent the Development of Pressure Sores than to Treat Them after They’ve Developed

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