This is a guaranteed minimum legal fee when I take a PI or any type of Contingency case. I will charge the fee in 20% increments during defined stages of your case regardless of the outcome of your case. Why not just take a fee from the proceeds? Because I take a greater risk in contingency cases by agreeing to take a lower percentage of the proceeds if your case is settled at certain defined points prior to trial. I believe this ultimately saves you money.
Here is my approach: I set a baseline percentage of 12.5% of the proceeds - an amount recovered AFTER COSTS - if your case settles within 30 days of filing suit. Then my percentage increases at various defined steps along the litigation process up to 25.5% if settled 14 days prior to a trail calendar call, 33.5% from any trial award or judgement and 40% from any appeal. Some costs (court reporter, deposition, doctor fees, etc) may require advance payment by you. But in all cases I will receive a minimum guarantee. I know this is different from other attorneys, but I invite you to do the math: are you better off paying your lawyer 12% - 20% of the proceeds if your case settles or 33% of the proceeds?