Many people cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The contingency fee was created so people who could not afford a lawyer could still retain one.

Under a contingency fee agreement, a lawyer will agree to represent you and his fee will be taken from the amount paid by the person who harmed you. If the person who harmed you does not pay anything the lawyer is not paid a fee.

The amount of the contingency fee agreement is negotiable. Some of the factors considered are the amount of time the case is expected to take, the amount of costs - things like expert witness fees and investigation costs - that will be involved, and the probability of winning.

Be sure you understand whether or not the lawyer will expect you to pay the costs if the case is not successful.

The contingent fee agreement should be in writing.