How Much Does a Sexual Assault Lawyer Cost?
Survivors seeking justice frequently ask how much does a sexual assault lawyer cost. The Injury Lawyer Team provides legal representation on a contingency fee basis, alleviating a survivor’s financial concerns.
Our team is here to help your financial recovery after a sexual assault, helping you understand the legal costs of pursuing a claim. Contact us today for a free consultation about your experience.
What Is the Contingency Fee Structure?
Most states also enable attorneys to select a fee structure and present this to the judge upon filing. These include flat fees, hourly rates, and a contingency fee basis.
The contingency fee model means that the attorney’s legal fees are paid out of the final settlement or court award, rather than the sexual assault survivor paying upfront. Typically, this is a percentage of the final settlement or award, though it may be a specific sum. It may range between 33% and 40% of the final sum.
Providing legal representation on a contingency fee basis ensures that survivors are not burdened with high costs. The contingency basis also means that attorneys evaluate cases based on several factors, such as whether expert witnesses would support the survivor’s claim and if the sexual assault would result in lengthy prison sentences if prosecuted.
This is especially crucial in sexual assault cases, which can be retraumatizing for victims. They may be forced to confront the defendant in the courtroom, share personal information, or recount the assault in detail. Using a contingency model, our attorneys carefully weigh whether the potential settlement or verdict will provide sufficient compensation to justify the negotiation and trial process.
Do Civil Sexual Assault Cases Come With Any Additional Costs?
Civil lawsuits have additional legal costs beyond the law firm’s expenses, including the following.
Court Filing Fees: The court will require a fee to initiate a civil lawsuit, which can range between $250 and sometimes up to $750, depending on the claim.
Depositions and Transcripts: For a civil claim, an attorney will take recorded statements of witnesses under oath to gather information. These are transcribed by a court reporter and incorporated into the case file.
Expert Witnesses: These are professionals from different fields who can provide their expert opinion on the sexual assault case. Expert witnesses charge fees for their time investigating your claim and presenting at trial. Most states have rules about a witness’s credentials.
Private Investigators: PIs are often retired detectives or other professionals who help gather evidence and find witnesses. These must be properly licensed and have the necessary qualifications, which our attorneys will determine before using any evidence.
Process of Service: A process server locates the responsible parties and delivers the paperwork to them. They charge for their time, mileage, and number of attempts.
Certified Copies: You will have to pay for certified copies of documents, such as motions, service papers, and copies of final judgments. These are around $2 to $10 per copy. While this seems like a small expense, the more complex the case, the more certified copies you will need.
Additionally, you may be required to pay expenses like lost income and medical bills upfront. For health insurance, the insurance company can use subrogation to be reimbursed from the settlement. Unfortunately, inadequate settlements may mean that you have to cover all or part of these expenses yourself.
These expenses must be paid throughout the legal process and are not typically covered under the contingency model. Our firm will explain the potential costs of securing legal representation so that you can make an informed decision about whether to go forward with your sexual assault claim.
Seek Justice Without the Financial Stress
A sexual assault lawyer from Injury Lawyer Team can help sexual assault survivors nationwide with their legal claims. By working on a contingency model, we reduce the upfront costs of holding individuals liable for abuse.
During your confidential case evaluation, we will discuss what costs you may expect to pay throughout the case, including how our contingency fee will be deducted from your final settlement. This is a time to ask any questions you may have about out-of-pocket expenses.
We’re here to help you explore your legal options while maintaining your privacy. With a proven track record of success, we’re named as Super Lawyers® with a 10/10 AVVO rating.
Call us at 866-757-6452 or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential and no-obligation consultation about pursuing a claim. Everything you share during a consultation is covered by the attorney-client privilege.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.