How Do Slip and Fall Lawyers Get Paid in Sherman Oaks?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

After a slip and fall injury in Sherman Oaks, the last thing you want to worry about is how to pay a lawyer. Medical bills may already be piling up from treatment at Sherman Oaks Hospital or follow-up care with specialists. The good news is that personal injury attorneys who handle premises liability cases work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing out of pocket to get started.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee arrangement means your attorney's payment is contingent on winning your case. If they do not recover money for you, you owe no attorney's fee. Your legal representation comes at no upfront cost and no ongoing hourly rate. The attorney invests their time and resources in your case and is paid a percentage of whatever they recover on your behalf.

Standard Contingency Fee Percentages in California

California does not cap contingency fees in personal injury cases by statute, but common practice runs between 33 and 40 percent depending on the stage at which the case resolves. A typical structure:

• 33 percent if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed
• 35 to 40 percent if the case proceeds to litigation or trial

Your attorney will provide this structure in writing as part of the retainer agreement. Review it carefully and ask any questions before signing.

What About Case Costs?

Attorney fees are separate from case costs. Building a premises liability case in Sherman Oaks may require:

• Obtaining surveillance footage from properties on Ventura Blvd, Van Nuys Blvd, or Westfield Fashion Square
• Requesting medical records from Sherman Oaks Hospital and other providers
• Hiring experts, such as engineers or safety consultants, to evaluate the dangerous condition
• Filing fees if the case is litigated at Van Nuys Courthouse West
• Deposition and court reporter costs

Most personal injury firms advance these costs and deduct them from your settlement. Whether costs are deducted before or after the attorney fee is calculated can significantly affect your net recovery. Ask your attorney to clarify this upfront.

A Settlement Breakdown Example

Imagine you fell at a retail store on Ventura Blvd and your attorney negotiates a $200,000 settlement. With a 33 percent attorney fee and $8,000 in case costs, your net recovery would be approximately $126,000. Without an attorney, you might have settled for $40,000 or less. The contingency model aligns your attorney's interests with yours: they earn more by recovering more.

Medical Liens and Bills

If you received treatment on a medical lien at Sherman Oaks Hospital or with other providers, those liens will be paid from your settlement. Your attorney will negotiate lien amounts down whenever possible, which directly increases what you take home.

To understand exactly how payment works in your specific slip and fall case, contact a Sherman Oaks slip and fall lawyer at L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks for a free consultation today.