Chiaf Law Offices, P.C. - Hiring An Attorney?

Yes! Even if you are unable to afford to pay an attorney out of your pocket, you can hire an attorney to represent you who will be paid a fee out of the amount of money you receive from your claim.

In personal injury, workers' compensation and Social Security disability claims you can hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis. This means simply that you must be found eligible for benefits before your attorney can be paid. For personal injury cases, the fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed upon by the client and attorney prior to representation. Your fee agreement or contract should always be in writing. The percentage charged may depend on how difficult the case is and whether litigation is required.

In workers' compensation and Social Security disability claims, you must be granted benefits before the attorney can be paid. In workers' compensation claims, the attorney fee is 10% of the amount recovered for temporary benefits and 20% of the amount recovered for permanent benefits. For Social Security claims, attorneys' fees are set by federal regulation at 25% of any past due benefits that are paid.

If you are awarded disability insurance benefits (Title II), the Social Security Administration will withhold 25% of the past due benefits and pay the attorney directly. If you are awarded Supplemental Security Income (SSI) you must pay the 25% fee directly to your attorney. In both types of cases, you are responsible for reimbursing your attorney any out-of-pocket expenses he may have incurred during the pendency of your case. (These are usually minimal expenses for postage, copy charges and sometimes doctor's reports.)

Most importantly, be sure that you ask as many questions as you need to understand exactly how the fees are paid. Remember! There is no fee unless there is a recovery. Call us at 1-800-375-3228 with any questions you may have.

Chiaf Law Offices, P.C.
1717 North Broadway
Oklahoma City, OK 73103-3498

Phone: 405-524-1501
Fax: 405-524-1777
Email: jchiaf@okcinjurylaw.com

Disclaimer Notice: The Chiaf Law Offices, P.C. web site is intended to provide useful information to the public and is not intended to offer legal advice. Therefore, obtaining information from this web site should not be considered legal advice. Further, information obtained from this web site is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Sending electronic communication to this web site also does not generate an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice concerning your specific circumstances, please consult an attorney.

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