How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Michigan?
Written by: Terry L. Cochran
Most Michigan personal injury lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee — you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fee unless we win. The fee is a percentage of your recovery, and Michigan court rules cap it at one-third of your net recovery. You don’t pay us unless we win your case.
Key Takeaways
- Contingency fee: no attorney fee unless you win.
- No upfront, hourly, or out-of-pocket attorney charges.
- Michigan caps injury contingency fees at one-third (33⅓%) of net recovery.
- Case costs (records, experts, filing) are separate — ask how they’re handled.
- Consultations are always free.
What is a contingency fee?
A contingency fee means your lawyer’s payment is contingent on winning. Instead of billing by the hour, the lawyer takes an agreed percentage of the money you recover through a settlement or verdict. You pay no attorney fee out of pocket, and if the case does not succeed, you owe no fee at all. In Michigan, contingency agreements in injury cases must be put in writing.
How much is the fee in Michigan?
Michigan Court Rule 8.121 caps contingency fees in personal injury, wrongful death, and no-fault cases at one-third (33⅓%) of the net recovery — the amount left after allowable case costs are deducted. A fee at or below that limit is presumed fair, and anything higher is treated as excessive. So on most injury cases, one-third is the ceiling, and your written agreement will state the exact percentage. This cap has applied in Michigan for decades and holds no matter how large the settlement or verdict.
Fees vs. case costs — what’s the difference?
When you receive a settlement or court award, two separate costs are deducted from that total:
- Attorney fee: The percentage of your recovery paid to your lawyer for their services.
- Case costs: The expenses incurred while building your case, such as records, experts, and filing fees.
Ask your lawyer whether costs are deducted before or after the fee is calculated, and what happens to those costs if the case does not succeed.
What do case costs cover?
- Medical records and employment or wage records.
- Expert witnesses and accident reconstruction.
- Court filing fees and deposition transcripts.
- Investigation, postage, copying, and similar expenses.
Do I pay anything if I lose?
With a true contingency arrangement, you owe no attorney fee if you do not recover. Many firms also absorb case costs when a case is unsuccessful, but this varies from firm to firm — always confirm how costs are handled, in writing, before you sign.
Why contingency fees help you
Contingency fees let you hire experienced representation without money upfront, and they align your lawyer’s interests with yours: the firm only gets paid when you do. That is why we offer free consultations and take injury cases with no fees until we win. Learn more about our approach in Michigan personal injury basics, or review past verdicts and settlements.
FAQs
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. We review your case at no charge and with no obligation, so you can understand your options before deciding anything.
Can a lawyer charge more than one-third?
Not in most Michigan injury cases. Court rules treat a fee above one-third of the net recovery as excessive.
Are case costs the same as the fee?
No. The fee is the lawyer’s percentage of the recovery; case costs are the separate expenses of building your claim.
How do I know exactly what I'll pay?
Your written contingency agreement spells out the percentage and how case costs are handled from start to finish.
What if my case settles quickly?
The same agreed percentage applies whether the case settles early or after trial, so a fast resolution does not change your fee rate.
Wondering What a Michigan Injury Lawyer Will Cost You?
For most people, the honest answer is nothing upfront — and no fee unless we win. If worry about affording a lawyer is holding you back after an accident, it shouldn’t; a free consultation costs you nothing.
Contact us at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and map out the strongest path forward. Remember, we don’t get paid unless you win.
Call us at 1-866-MICH-LAW anytime, 24/7, to schedule a free case evaluation.
