Nothing upfront, and nothing unless we win. We work on a contingency fee. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or award, paid only when we recover, and zero if we don’t. The percentage depends on your state and how far your case goes. In Florida, it’s typically 33 1/3% if your case settles before a lawsuit is formally answered, and 40% if litigation begins. In Tennessee, the fee is 40% whether or not a lawsuit is filed. In Texas, it’s 38% pre-suit, 44% if a suit is filed, and 45% if trial commences. We explain the exact structure before you sign anything.
A contingency fee means we get paid only if you do. The percentage depends on your state and the stage at which your case resolves. In Florida, it’s 33 1/3% if settled before a responsive answer is filed, and 40% once litigation begins. For very large recoveries in Florida, the percentage applied to amounts above $1 million is lower under the terms of our fee agreement. In Tennessee, the fee is 40% regardless of whether a lawsuit is filed. In Texas, it’s 38% pre-suit, 44% if a suit is filed, and 45% if trial begins. One important detail: the fee is calculated on your gross recovery, which is the total settlement before deductions for case costs or medical liens. If an appeal is required, an additional percentage applies; for claims against government entities, fees are capped at the legal maximum for that claim type.
Beyond attorney fees, a personal injury case can involve costs like medical record retrieval, court filing fees, deposition costs, expert witness fees, and accident reconstruction expenses. These are typically advanced by the firm and deducted from your settlement when the case resolves, meaning no out-of-pocket payment from you during the case. We walk you through what costs your specific case is likely to involve before you sign a representation agreement, and we’re transparent about that throughout.
From your gross settlement, deductions come in this order: attorney fees are calculated first on the total gross amount, then case costs advanced by the firm (records, expert witnesses, filing fees), and finally any outstanding medical liens such as amounts owed to providers, health insurers, Medicare, or Medicaid that covered your treatment. What’s left after all three is yours. Because fees are based on the gross amount before costs and liens, understanding the full math before approving a settlement matters. We walk through every line with you. We negotiate medical liens on your behalf, which is often where we make the biggest difference in what you actually take home. Before you sign off on any settlement, you’ll have a complete, itemized breakdown with no surprises.
A medical lien is a claim against your settlement by a healthcare provider or insurer to recover the cost of treating your injuries. If your bills were paid by health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or remain unpaid with providers, those parties typically have a right to reimbursement from your recovery. The lien comes out before you receive your share. Negotiating and reducing these liens is one of the most impactful, and often underappreciated, ways we increase what you actually take home.
We’ll hear your story, go over the basic facts, and give you an honest assessment of your situation at no charge and with no obligation. If we can help, we’ll walk you through our representation agreement clearly before you sign anything. Once you’re a client, we move quickly: requesting records, notifying the at-fault party’s insurer, and connecting you with any medical care you need.
Your case is assigned to a lead attorney who is responsible for it from intake through resolution. You’ll also work closely with a paralegal and case team who coordinate day-to-day tasks. Your attorney is involved in all strategy, negotiations, and court appearances. If there’s ever a staffing change, we introduce you to the new attorney personally and ensure full continuity; your case never starts from scratch.
Mostly your paralegal or case assistant, who handles status updates, document coordination, and scheduling. Your attorney is involved in all key decisions and is accessible when you need them directly. No question is too small. We’d rather you ask than sit with uncertainty. If you ever can’t reach someone, you’ll always have a clear escalation path.
We proactively contact you whenever there’s meaningful news, a new settlement offer, a key document, or a decision point that needs your input. You won’t go months without hearing anything. You can also reach out to your case team at any time for a status check. Communication isn’t a courtesy here. It’s a core part of how we work, and it’s something we know matters deeply to our clients.
Simple cases with clear liability can settle in a few months; complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple parties, or litigation can take a year or two. We’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific facts and update you as things evolve. One consistent position: we won’t push you toward a quick settlement if waiting means a significantly better outcome.
The vast majority of personal injury cases settle before trial, but not all of them, and whether yours does depends on the facts and what a fair resolution actually looks like. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, because that preparation is what makes insurance companies take our negotiations seriously. If your case does go to trial, you’ll be fully prepared and supported throughout.
Your first step is to contact your paralegal or case assistant. They handle day-to-day communications and can often answer your question or get you a status update quickly. If you have an urgent matter, ask to be escalated directly to your attorney or a supervising attorney. We take communication seriously; if you’re consistently not getting responses, that’s something we want to know about. You should never feel like you’ve been left in the dark about your own case.
Yes. We work with a network of qualified physicians and specialists across Florida who treat injury victims and understand the documentation requirements of personal injury cases. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, don’t have insurance, or don’t know where to turn after an accident, we can connect you with providers who can help. Getting proper care documented promptly is essential to both your recovery and the strength of your case.
Yes. We have Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff at multiple Florida locations and can handle your entire case in Spanish if that’s your preference. Just let us know when you reach out, and we’ll connect you with the right person right away.
We focus on personal injury and related matters, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and medical malpractice, among others. We don’t handle criminal defense, family law, immigration, or general business disputes. If you’re unsure whether your situation fits, just ask, and we’ll tell you honestly; if it’s outside our areas, we’ll try to point you in the right direction.
Can I switch attorneys if I’m not happy with my representation?
Yes. You have the right to change attorneys at any time. There may be procedural considerations around fee agreements depending on where your case stands, but being unhappy with your representation is not something you’re stuck with. If something isn’t working at SGF, we’d genuinely rather hear about it directly; most communication issues are fixable once they’re raised. Your outcome matters to us.