Understanding Contingency Fees for Calabasas Dog Bite Cases

The aftermath of a Calabasas dog bite is a traumatic and painful experience. Beyond the physical wound, victims often face mounting medical bills, time away from work, and emotional distress. As you consider your legal options, the thought of hiring a lawyer can seem daunting, especially when you are worried about costs. This is where a contingency fee arrangement makes pursuing justice possible for everyone, regardless of their financial situation.

At Walch Law, we believe in complete transparency. We want our clients to feel confident and informed every step of the way. This guide explains what a contingency fee is, how it works in California dog bite cases, and what you get for the fee you pay.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee is a payment arrangement that allows you to hire an expert personal injury lawyer with no upfront costs. Instead of paying an hourly rate, your attorney’s fee is “contingent” upon the outcome of your case.

In simple terms: We only get paid if you get paid.

The fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the total monetary recovery (the settlement or jury verdict) we obtain for you. If, for any reason, we are unable to secure financial compensation for you, you owe us absolutely nothing in attorney’s fees. This model ensures that our goals are perfectly aligned with yours: to maximize your recovery.

How Do Fees and Costs Work?

It is important to understand the difference between attorney’s fees and case costs.

• Fees: This is what you pay your lawyer for their time, expertise, and legal services. It is the percentage taken from your settlement or award.
• Costs (or Expenses): These are the out-of-pocket expenses required to build and prosecute your case. A reputable law firm, like Walch Law, will advance all of these costs on your behalf, so you still pay nothing upfront.

Common case costs in a dog bite lawsuit include:

• Filing fees to start a lawsuit in court.
• Fees for obtaining medical records and police reports.
• Hiring expert witnesses (e.g., plastic surgeons, psychologists).
• Costs for depositions and court reporters.
• Fees for investigators to locate the dog owner or document the scene.

When your case is successfully resolved, these advanced costs are typically deducted from the total settlement, along with the attorney’s fee. Our written fee agreement will explain this process in clear, simple terms.

What Do You Get for the Contingency Fee?

When you hire Walch Law on a contingency basis, you are not just getting a lawyer; you are getting a dedicated legal team and a comprehensive system designed to maximize your claim’s value. The fee covers a wide range of critical services:

1. Thorough Investigation

We immediately begin investigating the incident. This includes identifying the dog’s owner, finding all applicable insurance policies, documenting the scene, and interviewing witnesses.

2. Proving Liability Under California Law

California has a “strict liability” dog bite statute (Civil Code § 3342). This means that, in most cases, the dog’s owner is liable for the injuries their dog causes, even if the dog has never been vicious before. We use this powerful law to establish liability quickly, though we also navigate exceptions like provocation or trespassing.

3. Developing and Proving Your Damages

We meticulously document every aspect of your losses to build a powerful case for full compensation. This includes:

• Medical Bills: Past and future costs for emergency care, surgeries (including scar revision), and physical therapy.
• Future Care: Costs for psychological counseling to treat PTSD or cynophobia (fear of dogs).
• Lost Wages: Income you lost while recovering.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, emotional trauma, and scarring caused by the attack.

4. Handling All Insurance Company Communications

We take over all dealings with the dog owner’s insurance company (typically a homeowners or renters policy). Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Our goal is to make them pay what is fair.

5. Negotiating Medical Liens

Your health insurer has a right to be reimbursed from your settlement. We are experts at negotiating these liens down, which puts more of the settlement money directly into your pocket.

6. Litigation and Trial Readiness

While most cases settle, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. This readiness forces insurance companies to take your claim seriously and make a fair offer. If they refuse, we are ready to fight for you in court.

A Plain-Language Example of a Fee Calculation

To see how this works, let’s look at a hypothetical example. Disclaimer: Every case and fee agreement is unique. This is for illustrative purposes only.

Assume your case has $5,000 in advanced costs.

Scenario 1: Pre-Suit Settlement
Your lawyer negotiates a $75,000 settlement before filing a lawsuit. The contingency fee is 33.3%.

• Total Settlement: $75,000
• Attorney’s Fee (33.3%): -$25,000
• Case Costs: -$5,000
• Your Net Recovery: $45,000

Scenario 2: Post-Litigation Settlement
The insurer’s offer is too low, so your lawyer files a lawsuit. After discovery, the case settles for $250,000. The fee is now 40% due to the increased work and risk.

• Total Settlement: $250,000
• Attorney’s Fee (40%): -$100,000
• Case Costs: -$5,000
• Your Net Recovery: $145,000

This structure ensures you benefit directly from the increased value your attorney creates through litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Calabasas Contingency Fees for Dog Bite Lawsuits

1. Do I have to pay anything upfront to start my case?
Absolutely not. With a contingency fee agreement at Walch Law, there are zero upfront fees or costs.

2. What percentage do you charge for a dog bite case?
Our fees are standard for the industry, typically ranging from 33.3% for cases that settle before litigation to 40% for cases that require a lawsuit to be filed. The exact percentage will be clearly stated in our written agreement.

3. Who pays the case costs if we lose?
At Walch Law, if we do not win a recovery for you, we absorb the costs. You owe nothing. Not all firms offer this, so it is an important question to ask.

4. Can I negotiate the contingency fee percentage?
While our percentages are standard and reflect the risk and resources we invest, we are always willing to discuss our fee agreement to ensure you feel comfortable and confident.

5. How long will my dog bite case take?
A straightforward case with clear liability might settle in 6 to 9 months. If a lawsuit is necessary, the process can take 1.5 to 2 years or more.

6. Will my health insurance have to be paid back?
Yes. If your health plan paid for your medical bills, they are entitled to reimbursement from your settlement. A critical part of our job is negotiating this lien amount down to maximize your net recovery.

The Walch Law Promise: No Recovery, No Fee

After a traumatic dog bite, the last thing you should worry about is how to afford a lawyer. The contingency fee model allows you to access top-tier legal representation without any financial risk. We invest our own time and resources into your case because we are confident in our ability to win.

Contact Walch Law today for a free, confidential consultation. We will answer all of your questions, review your case, and explain how we can fight for you. Remember, we only get paid if you get paid. It’s that simple. 1-844-999-5342