The contingency fee system is the “key to the courtroom” for regular folks who have been injured through the intentional or negligent acts of another.

Contingency attorney fees are when an attorney does not require a client to pay money up front to hire the attorney. The attorney will receive his compensation from any funds received by way of either settlement negotiations or jury award. If the lawsuit is unsuccessful and the client receives no compensation, then the attorney also receives no compensation for his time and effort. Generally, the client is not even responsible for reimbursing the attorney for the costs incurred by the attorney in representing the client.

It costs a lot of money to prepare, file and prosecute a personal injury law suit. And the fact of the matter is that the majority of Oklahomans don’t have the financial resources necessary to hire an attorney who would charge a large retainer and then bill by the hour for legal services. Without contingency fees, most people would be effectively shut-out of the courthouse.

Additionally, since the attorney bears all of the financial risk if a contingency fee lawsuit is unsuccessful, the attorney has an incentive to only represent clients who have valid, meritorious claims.