Free Consultation and No Win, No Fee: How Our Fees Work

Hiring a lawyer after an accident should not add more financial pressure to an already difficult situation. Medical bills, missed work, transportation problems, physical pain and suffering, and family stress can pile up quickly.

That is why we offer a free consultation and handle all injury cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. 

Here is what that means, what it does not mean, and what you should ask before signing a fee agreement. At Lee Steinberg Law Firm, injured people can call **1-800-LEE-FREE** to talk about their options before deciding what to do next.

What a Free Consultation Includes

A free consultation is a first conversation about your case. You can explain what happened, what injuries you have, which insurance companies are involved, and what questions are keeping you stuck.

During the consultation, we may discuss:

• How the accident happened
• What medical care you have received
• Whether police, incident, or crash reports exist
• Which insurance policies may apply
• Whether there are urgent deadlines
• What damages may be available
• Whether the case is a good fit for representation

The consultation is also your chance to ask how the process works. You should leave with a clearer understanding of your options, even if you decide not to move forward. If the case involves a crash, we can also explain how Michigan traffic laws after an accident may affect fault, insurance disputes, and evidence.

What No Win, No Fee Means

No win, no fee usually means the attorney's fee depends on the client's recovery or settlement. Instead of paying an hourly fee upfront, the attorney is paid a percentage of the money recovered through settlement, verdict, judgment, or another successful result.

If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. This fee structure lets injured people pursue claims without paying hourly legal bills while they are already dealing with an injury's financial impact.

Michigan Contingency Fee Rules

In Michigan, contingency fee agreements are governed by Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.121 and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC 1.5). Under the rule, an attorney may charge no more than one-third of the amount recovered. 

A contingency fee agreement should be in writing and should explain how the fee is calculated. The agreement should also explain how case costs are handled and how the final distribution will be shown when the case ends.

You should never feel rushed through the fee agreement. A good lawyer will explain it in plain English.

Attorney Fees vs. Case Costs

Attorney fees and case costs are not the same thing. An attorney fee is the percentage paid for legal work if you recover money. Case costs are expenses needed to investigate, prepare, and pursue the claim. Depending on the case, costs may include:

• Medical record retrieval fees
• Expert witness review
• Court filing fees
• Court reporter fees
• Deposition transcripts
• Accident reconstruction
• Medical illustrations
• Trial exhibits

Ask whether the firm advances costs, whether they are reimbursed from the recovery, and what happens to costs if there is no recovery.

Medical Bills, Liens, and Reimbursement Claims

In injury cases, the settlement amount is not always what the client takes home. Medical providers, health insurers, Medicare, Medicaid, workers' compensation carriers, or auto insurers may claim a right to be repaid from the recovery.

Part of our work is identifying and addressing these issues before settlement funds are distributed. That helps avoid surprises and gives the client a clearer picture of the net recovery. Often, a smart Michigan personal injury law firm can reduce the lien so the client recovers more money. 

Why the Fee Structure Matters

A contingency fee aligns the lawyer's work with the client's outcome. The lawyer risks investing time and resources before payment. The client gets access to representation without paying hourly bills. But the agreement still needs to be transparent. You should understand:

• The contingency percentage
• Whether the fee is calculated before or after costs
• How expenses are handled
• Whether appeals are included
• How medical liens are resolved
• What written accounting you receive at the end

Does No Win, No Fee Mean the Case Is Guaranteed?

No. No lawyer can ethically guarantee a result. No win, no fee describes how you pay the attorney's fee. It does not promise a timeline, settlement, or a specific amount.

A case's value depends on liability, insurance coverage, injury severity, medical proof, future care needs, wage loss, credibility, the quality of your lawyers, and many other factors.

What Cases May Qualify?

We commonly evaluate contingency fee arrangements for cases involving:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall injuries
• Premises liability
• Medical malpractice
• Wrongful death
• No-fault insurance disputes

Some cases require deeper investigation before we can confirm representation, especially medical malpractice and complex liability cases.

For local premises claims, a consultation with a Grand Rapids slip and fall lawyer can help identify evidence before it disappears, such as incident reports, camera footage, weather records, and maintenance logs.

What To Bring to a Free Consultation

Bring anything you have. Helpful documents include:

• Police or incident report
• Photos and videos
• Insurance letters
• Medical bills
• Discharge instructions
• Names of witnesses
• Employer wage documentation
• Any denial letters

If you do not have these documents yet, that is okay. The consultation can still help identify what you need to gather.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. The initial consultation costs nothing. You can ask questions and learn whether you may have a claim. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, every consultation is free. A person may contact us as many times as they wish at no cost. 

What does no win, no fee mean?

It means you pay the attorney fee from the recovery if you get money. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee.

Are case costs the same as attorney fees?

No. Costs are expenses needed to pursue the case. The fee agreement should explain how they are handled.

Are case costs usually deducted from the settlement amount when determining the attorney fee?

Yes. In almost all contingency-fee arrangements, attorneys deduct case costs from the settlement amount to determine the attorney fee and the client’s net proceeds. For example, a case settles for $100. There were $10 in case costs. The net amount is $90. The law firm would receive $30, and the client would receive $60. 

Can a lawyer guarantee my settlement?

No. A lawyer can evaluate the evidence and explain the strategy, but cannot guarantee an outcome.

Request Your Free Case Evaluation

You should not have to guess whether you can afford legal help. Call Lee Steinberg Law Firm at **1-800-LEE-FREE** for a free case evaluation. If we take your case, there are no fees unless we win.