Free tool
Settlement calculator
See roughly how much of a settlement you take home after your lawyer’s contingency fee, case costs and medical bills.
- You
- Lawyer’s fee
- Case costs
- Medical bills and liens
- Settlement
- -
- Lawyer’s fee
- -
- Case costs
- -
- Medical bills and liens
- -
- You take home
- -
The fee, costs and bills add up to more than the settlement. Talk to your lawyer before accepting: medical liens and fees can often be negotiated down.
In England and Wales, a “no win, no fee” lawyer’s success fee in a personal injury claim is capped at 25% of most of the damages, so the higher percentages above are mainly a US practice.
Important: an estimate for general information only, not legal advice. Using this calculator does not make you a client of My Legal Hub or any lawyer. Your fee agreement and any lien negotiations decide the real figures, so check with a lawyer before you accept or turn down an offer. Terms of use.
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How a settlement is split
When a personal injury or accident case settles, the money usually goes to your lawyer first. They pay everyone owed from the settlement and send you the rest. In order:
- The lawyer’s contingency fee: a percentage agreed at the start, often a third.
- Case costs the firm paid to run your case.
- Medical bills and liens: hospitals, doctors, health insurers, Medicare or Medicaid.
- You receive what is left.
Common questions
How much do lawyers take from a settlement?
Most personal injury lawyers in the USA work on a contingency fee of around 33% (one third) of the settlement if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed, often rising to around 40% if it goes to litigation or trial. The percentage is set out in your fee agreement, so check yours.
Are case costs taken out before or after the lawyer's fee?
It depends on your agreement. Some lawyers take their percentage from the gross settlement and then deduct costs; others deduct costs first and take their percentage of what is left, which leaves you slightly more. This calculator lets you choose either.
What are case costs?
Money the law firm spends to run your case, such as court filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses, depositions and investigators. They are usually repaid from the settlement on top of the lawyer's fee.
Do I have to pay medical bills out of my settlement?
Often, yes. Unpaid medical bills, and liens from health insurers, Medicare, Medicaid or hospitals, are usually paid from the settlement before you receive your share. Lawyers can sometimes negotiate these amounts down.
Is a personal injury settlement taxable?
In the USA, compensation for physical injuries is generally not taxable income, but some parts, such as punitive damages or interest, can be. Ask your lawyer or an accountant about your situation.
Can I negotiate my lawyer's contingency fee?
Sometimes. Fees are agreed before the lawyer takes your case, and some lawyers will agree a lower percentage for a clear case or a sliding scale. Get the agreement in writing and make sure you understand how costs are handled.
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