Contingency Fee Calculator
Disclaimer: Contingency fee rates and rules vary by attorney and jurisdiction. This is for informational purposes only, not legal advice.
What's Actually Left After the Attorney's Cut
Contingency-fee arrangements are common in personal injury and similar claims because they let a claimant pursue a case without paying hourly fees upfront — the attorney is paid a percentage of whatever is recovered, and nothing if the case doesn't succeed. What often surprises clients is that case costs (expert witnesses, filing fees, depositions) are typically subtracted separately from the contingency percentage, not folded into it, meaning the net amount can be meaningfully lower than the settlement figure headline.
The Formula
Net to Client = Settlement Amount − Attorney Fee − Case Costs
The attorney fee is calculated on the full settlement amount, and case costs are subtracted afterward — so two settlements of the same size can leave the client with different net amounts if their case cost totals differ.
| Contingency rate | Attorney fee | Net to client |
|---|---|---|
| 33% | $33,000 | $67,000 |
| 35% | $35,000 | $65,000 |
| 40% | $40,000 | $60,000 |
Contingency fee rates commonly range from roughly 33% to 40% depending on the attorney, case type, and stage at which the case resolves, though this varies and should be confirmed in your fee agreement.
Where This Matters
- Evaluating a settlement offer — the headline settlement figure and what actually arrives in the client's pocket can differ substantially once fees and costs are subtracted.
- Comparing attorneys with different rate structures — a lower contingency rate isn't always the better deal if case costs or other terms differ between agreements.
- Understanding a fee agreement before signing — running through the math ahead of time clarifies exactly what percentage is at stake before committing to representation.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the settlement amount.
- Enter the contingency rate as a percentage (commonly 33–40%).
- Enter any case costs, if applicable (optional).
- Select Calculate for the attorney fee and net amount to the client.
Related Calculations
Estimating the settlement itself first? See the Personal Injury Settlement Calculator, or compare against hourly billing with the Legal Fee Calculator.