Attorney Fees and Case Costs
No recovery, no attorney fees or case expenses.
MMG advances case expenses without an upfront payment.
Contingency rates differ by case stage. Your written agreement explains the terms.
Medical bills and other outside obligations are separate.
After a California car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you should understand the cost of legal help before deciding whether to hire a lawyer. MMG Law Firm handles accepted accident cases on a contingency fee basis and advances case expenses without an upfront payment from you.
Understand the three categories
Attorney fees
Payment for legal work.
A percentage of a recovery under your written agreement. Rates differ by case stage. No recovery means no attorney fees owed to MMG.
Case expenses
Costs of pursuing your claim.
MMG advances these expenses without an upfront payment. Your agreement explains how they are handled if there is a recovery. No recovery means no case expenses owed to MMG.
Outside obligations
Medical bills and repayment claims.
These are separate obligations. Their treatment depends on the bill, coverage, agreement, and applicable law. They are not automatically erased by MMG’s no-recovery policy.
Know what you’re agreeing to.
Rates differ by case stage. Review each percentage and its trigger before signing.
A contingency fee ties the attorney’s payment to a recovery. The percentage and calculation method belong in the written agreement. The State Bar explains that clients should understand whether the fee is calculated before or after costs are deducted and that fees are generally negotiable. Read the State Bar’s fee guide
At MMG, different rates apply at different case stages. Before signing, review each percentage and the event that triggers a change. Do not assume a single advertised percentage applies throughout a case. Your free consultation is the place to discuss the terms for your claim, including whether the agreement covers related matters such as property damage or an appeal.
MMG advances case expenses
No upfront payment. Your agreement explains reimbursement if there is a recovery.
Records and evidence
Medical records, incident reports, and other documentation.
Court filings and depositions
Filing fees, court costs, and deposition expenses.
Expert analysis
Independent medical and technical experts as needed.
Investigation and accident reconstruction may also be needed. Not every case needs every expense. Ask how expenses will be documented, how major expenditures are discussed, and how reimbursement works if money is recovered.
What happens if there is no recovery?
You owe MMG no attorney fees or case expenses if there is no recovery.
This answers what you owe the firm. It does not mean a hospital, medical provider, insurer, or another party automatically gives up a separate payment claim. Bring medical bills, insurance correspondence, and any payment agreements to your consultation so those issues can be discussed separately.
Before signing, also ask how the agreement addresses a change of attorney, early termination, or any court-ordered payment to another party. Those questions need answers specific to your situation.
Medical bills and healthcare repayment claims
Medical treatment bills are different from the costs of pursuing a legal case. Share your health coverage information and any lien or reimbursement notices early.
Medi-Cal
California’s Department of Health Care Services may recover payments for injury-related Medi-Cal services when a member receives compensation from a liable third party. The amount requires case-specific review.
Medicare
Medicare may make conditional payments for treatment when another payer is responsible. A settlement or other recovery can trigger a repayment process.
These sources explain the programs; they do not determine the amount owed in your case. Do not assume every medical charge must be deducted in full or that every repayment claim can be eliminated.
Common fee questions
Helpful official resources
Questions to ask before signing
- 01
What percentage applies at each stage, and precisely what triggers a change?
- 02
Is the fee calculated before or after case expenses are deducted?
- 03
How are advanced expenses documented and reimbursed if there is a recovery?
- 04
Which services are included, and which related matters require a separate agreement?
- 05
How will medical bills and repayment claims affect my estimated share?
- 06
What happens if the representation ends before the case is resolved?
Ask for a copy of the agreement and an explanation of anything you do not understand before signing.
Discuss your accident and your fee questions
MMG Law Firm serves people injured in California accidents from its Glendale office. Meet attorney Mihran M. Ghazaryan and ask how the proposed fee agreement would apply to your case.
Explore help for car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents.
No recovery, no attorney fees or case expenses.
BEFORE YOU SIGN
Understand your fee agreement
MMG’s contingency rates differ by case stage.
- 01The percentage at each stage
- 02What triggers a rate change
- 03Whether fees are calculated before or after costs
- 04How advanced expenses are reimbursed
- 05Which services and related matters are included
MMG advances case expenses without an upfront payment.
No recovery, no attorney fees or case expenses.
Medical bills and outside obligations are separate.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SHARE
From recovery to net proceeds
The total recovered is not always the amount you take home.
Total recovery
Attorney fees
Based on your written agreement.
Reimbursable case expenses
Actual costs of pursuing the claim.
Applicable third-party payments
Medical bills and repayment claims.
Your net proceeds
Overview only. Your agreement determines the fee calculation and deduction order.
Ask for an itemized estimate. Unresolved repayment claims can change the amount.