What Does It Cost to Hire Wolfson & Leon for an Accident Case?
Hiring Wolfson & Leon for an accident case costs you nothing upfront and nothing at all unless the firm recovers money for you. The fee is a percentage of what is actually recovered, and you see that percentage in writing before you sign anything. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee.
Hiring Wolfson & Leon for an accident case costs you nothing upfront and nothing at all unless the firm recovers money for you. The fee is a percentage of what is actually recovered, and you see that percentage in writing before you sign anything. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee.
Do I have to pay anything to get started?
No. All consultations are free and we never charge you a fee unless we make a financial recovery for you. You will not pay anything out of pocket just to talk to an attorney about your case. There is no hidden charge, no consultation fee, and no obligation to move forward after your first call or meeting. This is especially important in the days after a crash on Okeechobee Road or a fall near West 49th Street, when you are worried about medical bills and lost wages. You can get clear answers without adding more financial stress.
How is the fee calculated, and when do I see it in writing?
The fee is a percentage of the amount recovered in your case, not an hourly rate or a flat dollar amount. Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5 sets the rules for how contingency fees may be structured in personal injury cases. Before you sign anything, you will receive a written agreement that clearly states the exact percentage that applies to your case. If you live in Hialeah and prefer to speak Spanish, the agreement can be explained to you in Spanish at our office at 1840 W 49th St, Suite 734, or even at your home if getting to the office is difficult right now.
Does the percentage change if a lawsuit has to be filed?
It might. Under Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5, the maximum percentage in a contingency fee agreement is higher once a case moves further into litigation. The rule sets one cap if the case resolves before the defendant files an answer or the right to arbitrate is demanded, and a higher cap after that point through trial. Ask the attorney directly: “What percentage applies at each stage?” and make sure those numbers are written into your agreement before you sign. Do not assume the rate stays the same throughout the process.
Who pays for costs like medical records, experts, and filing fees while the case is going on?
Wolfson & Leon typically advances case costs so you do not have to pay anything out of pocket during your case. These costs can include medical record requests, the crash report, court filing fees, and expert witness fees if needed. At the end of the case, these advanced costs are usually repaid from your recovery, as outlined in your written fee agreement. Before signing, ask: What types of costs does the firm advance? Are they repaid before or after the attorney fee is taken? And what happens to those costs if there is no recovery?
What happens to my medical bills and liens when a settlement comes in?
Generally, when a settlement is reached, the money is deposited into the firm’s trust account. From there, the attorney fee is calculated, advanced costs are reimbursed, and then any valid medical provider liens or health insurance claims are paid before you receive your net share. Medical providers often place liens on settlements to ensure they get paid for treating your accident injuries. Ask your lawyer: Will you negotiate these bills down? And will I get a written settlement statement showing every deduction before my check is issued? This ensures no surprises when it is time to disburse.
What questions should I ask before I sign any contingency agreement?
Before you sign, ask these questions aloud, in person or over the phone:
- What is the exact percentage you will charge, and does it change if a lawsuit is filed?
- Are case costs advanced by the firm, and how are they repaid from a recovery?
- Are costs deducted before or after the attorney fee is calculated from the gross recovery?
- What happens to advanced costs if the case does not result in a recovery?
- Will you help negotiate my medical bills and liens before final disbursement?
- Will I receive a written settlement statement itemizing every deduction before I get my check?
If you live in Hialeah, you can have the entire agreement read and explained to you in Spanish at our W 49th Street office or at your home. Never sign anything you do not fully understand.
Frequently asked questions
What if Wolfson & Leon doesn’t win my case, do I still owe them money?
No. If there is no financial recovery, you do not owe an attorney fee. Advanced case costs may be waived, but this will be specified in your written agreement.
Can I have the fee agreement explained to me in Spanish?
Yes. The firm speaks Spanish and can go through the entire agreement with you in Spanish at the Hialeah office or at your residence.
Is the contingency fee percentage the same for every accident case in Florida?
No. The percentage can vary by law firm and by the stage of the case. Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5 sets maximum limits, but each firm sets its own rates within those rules.
Do case costs like expert witnesses and medical records come out of my settlement?
Usually, yes. These costs are typically repaid from the gross settlement amount before you receive your net share, but the exact terms are in your written agreement.
How long do I have to file an accident lawsuit in Florida?
For accidents that happened on or after March 24, 2023, you generally have two years to file a negligence lawsuit under Florida Statute 95.11. Earlier accidents had a four-year deadline. See more in our guide to Florida’s two-year statute of limitations.
Hurt in an accident in Hialeah? Call Wolfson & Leon at 305-965-3766 for a free consultation. We speak Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.
Key facts
- In Florida, a contingency fee agreement in a personal injury case must be in writing and signed by both the client and the lawyer. Source: Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-1.5(f)
- A written contingency fee agreement in Florida must state how the fee is determined and whether litigation expenses are deducted from the recovery before or after the contingency fee is calculated. Source: Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-1.5(f)(1)
- Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5 regulates contingency fee percentages for personal injury cases in Florida, and those percentages may change depending on the stage at which the case resolves. Source: Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-1.5(f)(4)(B)
- In a Florida personal injury case, a contingency fee is generally capped at 33 1/3% of any recovery up to $1 million before an answer is filed or the right to arbitrate is demanded, and 40% after that through trial, with different tiers above $1 million. Source: Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-1.5(f)(4)(B)
- When a contingency fee case ends in a recovery, the lawyer must prepare a written closing statement itemizing all costs and expenses and the fee, signed by the client and the lawyers. Source: Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-1.5(f)(5)
Frequently asked questions
What if Wolfson & Leon doesn't win my case, do I still owe them money?
If there is no financial recovery in your case, you do not owe Wolfson & Leon an attorney fee. Whether you would owe anything for advanced case costs if there is no recovery depends on what your written fee agreement says, so ask about that specifically before you sign.
Can I have the fee agreement explained to me in Spanish?
Yes. Wolfson & Leon handles cases in both English and Spanish. Hialeah clients can have the written contingency fee agreement explained in Spanish at the firm's office at 1840 W 49th St, Suite 734, Hialeah, FL 33012, or the firm can arrange to go over it with you at home. You should never sign a legal document you do not fully understand, and the firm can accommodate that need.
Is the contingency fee percentage the same for every accident case in Florida?
Not necessarily. Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5 regulates personal injury contingency fees in Florida, and the percentage that applies may differ depending on when and how the case resolves, for example, whether it settles before a lawsuit is filed or after litigation begins. The exact percentage that will apply to your case should be stated clearly in the written fee agreement before you sign it. Ask Wolfson & Leon to walk you through each stage and what fee applies at each one.
Do case costs like expert witnesses and medical records come out of my settlement?
Generally yes, but the details depend on your written fee agreement. In Florida personal injury cases, law firms commonly advance costs such as medical record retrieval, crash report fees, court filing fees, and expert witness fees so clients pay nothing out of pocket during the case. Those advanced costs are then typically reimbursed from the settlement or verdict at the end. Ask Wolfson & Leon specifically how costs are handled and whether they are deducted before or after the attorney fee is calculated from the gross recovery.
How long do I have to file an accident lawsuit in Florida?
For injuries from negligence that occurred on or after March 24, 2023, Florida law (FS 95.11) gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing that deadline can permanently bar your claim, regardless of how strong it is. This is one reason to contact Wolfson & Leon for a free consultation as soon as possible after an accident, so no deadlines are missed while you are focused on recovering.
This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your situation, call Wolfson & Leon at 305-965-3766 for a free consultation.
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