Civil Wrongful death

[Marcia_W]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

? - is the standard fee for PA civil for wrongful death 1/3 or 33%?
Also - is it standard to charge in addition to the 33% for ea. fax, telephone call, email, mail etc.?
I thought the 33% would include all of the above?

HELP

[racer72]

It depends on the attorney you hire, some include additional expenses, some don't. This is one reason to check with 2 or 3 attorneys before making a decision.

[JessiesGirl]

I don't think there is a "standard" fee, as far as referring to a legal standard amount vs. what is the average fee being "standard". I've seen ads for 25% up to 40% (costs/fees paid included not listed in ad). My medmal attorneys took 40% plus costs, and they walked away very happy. My now ex-husband signed with them while I was still in the hospital unconscious (spelling?) so when these lawyers showed up at my house after I finally got out of the hospital and said we need you to sign since you are married, I figured I should since my then-husband wouldn't be so dumb as to not shop around for a more reasonable rate, but hey, that's life, eh? I READ the contract (after signing, because since he signed, I didn't think I could back out and didn't know to read it but now I know so much more). I actually posted about that 40% plus costs on this very site as a concern back in 2005 or very early 2006 because it just seemed like robbery.

If you have not already signed a contract with an attorney, make sure you read the contract before signing it (you are entitled to read before signing, don't let them rush you). If you have already signed a contract, READ it. If you have a contract, and you want out because you feel it's not "fair", you are SOL because you will be responsible for any work the attorneys did on your behalf. Be especially careful that they didn't put some clause in it about being entitled to any of your award should you win/settle if you drop them or they drop you before settling/winning. I don't actually see that happening but hell, it doesn't hurt to read the contract!

Now, as far as the contract regarding additional expenses included or not? It should be specifically stated in the contract whether costs/expenses are included or additional. I would expect the costs/fees to be additional in probably all attorney offices. It just makes better business sense for them, really.

Best wishes on your suit and hope you get better soon,

Kathy

[ecmst12]

For any type of suit, the percentage usually does NOT include expenses. The only question is whether expenses are deducted BEFORE or AFTER the percentage is taken.