How Contingency Fees Work: No Win, No Fee Explained

Lawyer presenting a contingency fee agreement to a client in a warm-lit Tacoma office with a waterfront view.

At Strong Law Accident & Injury Attorneys, we believe everyone deserves quality legal representation — regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.


What Is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where your lawyer only gets paid if they win or settle your case. Rather than charging hourly rates or upfront retainers, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the compensation recovered on your behalf.

If your case is unsuccessful, you owe no attorney fees. This setup minimizes financial risk and makes legal representation accessible to anyone injured by another’s negligence.

Example: If your case settles for $100,000 and your contingency fee agreement is 30%, your lawyer receives $30,000, and you keep the remaining $70,000.

This model motivates attorneys to fight for the maximum possible compensation — because their success is directly tied to yours.


How Do Contingency Fees Work?

When you sign a contingency fee agreement, you and your lawyer agree on a specific percentage of your recovery that will serve as the legal fee.
This percentage commonly ranges between 25% and 40%, depending on:

  • The complexity of your case
  • The type of claim (car accident, wrongful death, etc.)
  • Whether your case settles quickly or goes to trial

If your lawyer wins or negotiates a settlement, they’ll deduct their fee and any pre-agreed expenses (like filing or expert witness fees) from the final amount.

At Strong Law, we’re transparent about every cost — you’ll never be surprised by hidden fees or unclear billing.


The Benefits of Contingency Fees

Contingency fees make justice possible for people who might not otherwise afford a lawyer.
Here’s why this model benefits you:

  • No Upfront Costs
    • You don’t have to pay retainers, hourly fees, or upfront charges. You can focus on your recovery while we handle your case.
  • Access to Experienced Legal Representation
    • Contingency fees open the door to experienced attorneys who can take on large insurance companies and win significant results — without you risking your savings.
  • Aligned Interests
    • Our success is directly linked to yours. When we win, you win — and that ensures we’re always motivated to deliver the best outcome.
Stressed driver sitting beside a damaged SUV on a snowy Denver street while an insurance adjuster gestures with a clipboard.
A concerned driver sits beside a damaged SUV on a snowy Denver street as an insurance adjuster reviews paperwork.

No Win, No Fee: What It Really Means

“No win, no fee” is exactly what it sounds like — if we don’t recover compensation for you, you don’t pay us. That said, there may still be small case-related costs like:

These will be clearly explained in your agreement before we begin. We pride ourselves on complete transparency so you can make informed decisions from day one.


Understanding the Fine Print

Every contingency fee agreement should clearly outline:

  • The attorney’s percentage
  • What costs may be deducted from the settlement
  • How expenses are handled if the case is lost

Before signing, always ask your lawyer to explain anything that’s unclear. At Strong Law, we take time to ensure every client fully understands their agreement — no surprises, no confusion.


Types of Cases That Use Contingency Fees

Contingency fees are most common in personal injury and civil litigation where financial compensation is expected. At Strong Law, we handle a range of contingency-based cases, including:

Personal Injury Cases

Our personal injury lawyers handle car accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, and more. You pay nothing upfront — we only get paid when you do.

Car Accident Cases

Our car accident attorneys have recovered millions for crash victims. Contingency fees mean you can hold negligent drivers accountable without any upfront risk.

Employment Discrimination & Civil Claims

If you’ve faced discrimination or workplace retaliation, a contingency-based agreement allows you to pursue justice even if you can’t afford hourly legal rates.

Class Action Lawsuits

In class actions, multiple clients share similar claims against one party. Contingency fees make these complex cases possible by removing financial barriers for participants.


Lawyer and client shaking hands across a wooden desk in a warm-lit Midvale law office with legal folders and paperwork visible.
A Midvale lawyer and client shake hands in a calm office setting, symbolizing trust and successful representation.

Choosing the Right Lawyer for a Contingency Fee Case

When selecting a lawyer for a contingency case, look for these key traits:

1. Proven Experience

Hire attorneys who regularly handle contingency cases and have a strong track record of success.
Strong Law’s lawyers have helped thousands of injured clients recover fair compensation across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and more.

2. Transparent Communication

Your attorney should explain fees and case strategy in plain language. We prioritize open communication from start to finish — so you always know where your case stands.

3. Strong Client Reviews

Look for positive client testimonials and consistent results. Our clients appreciate our professionalism, compassion, and determination to win.


Potential Drawbacks of Contingency Fees

While contingency fees are client-friendly, it’s important to understand a few trade-offs:

  • If your case is successful, the overall legal fee may be higher than if you had paid hourly rates.
  • Some attorneys may decline cases with low potential value or uncertain outcomes.

Still, for most clients, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks — especially when it means having skilled legal representation with no upfront cost.


Why Choose Strong Law Attorneys?

At Strong Law Accident & Injury Attorneys, we believe that justice shouldn’t depend on your bank account.
We’ve built our firm around helping injured clients win — with no risk and no fees unless we succeed.

Our results speak for themselves:
✅ Millions recovered for accident victims
✅ Offices across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West
✅ Personalized attention and honest communication every step of the way

If you’ve been injured, contact us today for a free consultation and learn how our contingency fee model can help you move forward with confidence.