How a personal injury settlement is split
In a contingency-fee case, the lawyer is paid a percentage of the recovery — commonly around one-third (33.3%), sometimes 25% if the case settles early or 40% if it goes to trial. Two things matter for your bottom line:
- Fee on gross vs. net. Some agreements take the percentage off the full settlement; others take it after case costs are subtracted. The toggle above lets you compare both — it can change your take-home by thousands.
- Case costs and liens. Filing fees, expert witnesses, and records are "costs," separate from the fee. Health insurers, Medicare/Medicaid, or providers may also hold a lien that must be repaid from your share.
This is an estimate to help you understand the structure — your actual fee agreement, costs, and lien negotiations will decide the final number.