IT’S MORE THAN MONEY.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Colorado?
Cost is one of the first questions people have after an injury. CGH offers a free consultation and works on a no fee unless we win basis. Ask about the written agreement before you sign.
- Personal injury lawyer cost questions should be answered from the written fee agreement, not a generic online summary.
- Attorney fees, case costs, medical bills, liens, and settlement disbursement are different issues.
- Ask CGH to explain the current written agreement before you sign, because that agreement controls.
Cost is one of the first questions people have after an injury. You may need help, but you may also be dealing with medical bills, missed work, car repairs, rent, child care, or pressure from an insurer. The safest answer is also the most practical one: ask for the written agreement and have the lawyer explain it before you sign.
This page discusses fee and cost questions generally. CGH offers a free consultation and works on a no fee unless we win basis, but this page does not state CGH’s fee percentage, case-cost terms, or what happens under every possible outcome. CGH’s current written agreement controls those questions. If anything on a website, phone call, advertisement, or summary conflicts with the written agreement, ask CGH to clarify the written terms.
CGH Injury Lawyers has represented injured Coloradans since 2016 from one Denver office at 2701 Lawrence Street. Kevin Cheney is Managing Partner, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and Treasurer of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association.
How Personal Injury Lawyer Fees Often Work
Many personal injury lawyers use a contingency fee structure. In general terms, that means the lawyer’s fee is tied to money obtained for the client. The exact percentage, what counts as recovery, how costs are handled, and when funds are disbursed should all be defined in the written agreement.
Do not rely on a generic internet percentage. Fee terms can differ by lawyer, case type, stage, litigation posture, risk, and agreement language. Colorado attorneys’ fees, including contingent fees, are regulated by Rule 1.5 of the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibits unreasonable fees. Under Colo. RPC 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing, signed by both the client and the lawyer, and must spell out key terms such as how the fee percentage is calculated, whether it is figured before or after case expenses are deducted, how expenses are handled, and what happens if the representation ends early. At the end of the case, the lawyer must provide a written disbursement statement itemizing the recovery, costs, and the fee. For your case, the written agreement is the source that matters.
If you are comparing lawyers, ask each one to explain:
- What attorney fees mean in the agreement.
- Whether the fee changes if a lawsuit is filed.
- What case costs are.
- How case costs are approved.
- How medical liens or bills are handled.
- What happens before funds are disbursed.
- What you will receive in writing at the end.
For a broader look at how CGH handles injury cases, read the firm’s practice areas page and case results page, then ask how the written agreement would apply to your facts.
What a Contingency Fee Means
A contingency fee is often used in injury cases because many injured people cannot pay hourly litigation bills while they are also recovering. The lawyer accepts risk and is paid from case proceeds under the written agreement. That structure can make legal representation possible for clients who would otherwise delay or handle a claim alone.
But “contingency fee” is not a complete answer. You still need to know the exact terms in writing. Ask:
- What percentage applies under the agreement?
- Does the percentage change at different stages?
- What counts as a case cost?
- Who approves large costs?
- Are medical bills, liens, or repayment claims separate from attorney fees?
- What happens if the case resolves before suit?
- What happens if suit is filed?
- How will the final settlement statement be shown?
CGH’s written agreement controls these answers. If the agreement uses a term you do not understand, ask for an explanation before signing.
Attorney Fees vs. Case Costs
Attorney fees and case costs are not the same. Attorney fees pay the lawyer for legal work under the agreement. Case costs are expenses connected to developing or litigating the case. Depending on the case, costs may include records, filing fees, expert review, deposition transcripts, mediation fees, exhibits, service fees, investigation work, or other litigation expenses.
Do not assume all costs are handled the same way in every case. The written agreement should explain how costs are advanced, approved, repaid, or deducted. Ask CGH to walk through the current terms for your case type before you sign.
Medical bills are a separate issue again. A personal injury settlement may involve health insurance repayment, medical liens, provider balances, letters of protection, or unpaid bills. Those items are not attorney fees. They can affect what a client receives at the end, so they should be reviewed before disbursement.
For related background, CGH’s article on out-of-pocket expenses in a Denver personal injury case may help you frame the right questions.
What to Ask Before Signing a Fee Agreement
Before hiring any personal injury lawyer, slow down long enough to ask clear questions. You are not being difficult. You are making sure you understand the business terms of the relationship.
Use this checklist:
- What fee structure applies to my case?
- Where is that term in the written agreement?
- What case costs might be needed?
- Who approves major costs?
- Are costs treated differently if litigation starts?
- How are medical bills and liens reviewed?
- How will I see the final accounting?
- Who signs off before settlement funds are distributed?
- What happens if I change lawyers?
- Who will answer cost questions after I sign?
The answer should point back to the agreement. A lawyer can explain the terms in plain English, but the signed written agreement controls.
Does CGH Charge for an Initial Case Review?
No. CGH offers a free consultation, and the firm’s standing approach is no fee unless we win. The free case review lets you ask questions, explain the facts, and understand the next step without a payment obligation. The exact fee and cost terms for your case are then set out in the written agreement, which controls.
It is still fair to ask detailed questions at the start of the call. You can say: “Before I discuss the facts, can you explain how attorney fees and case costs would be handled if CGH takes the case?” That question should not be awkward. It helps both sides know whether the next step makes sense.
If your case involves a recent crash, CGH’s Colorado accident steps guide can help you gather basic facts before the call. If you are dealing with an insurer, read the insurance claims after a crash page before signing forms.
What If the Case Does Not Produce Money?
This question must be answered from CGH’s current written agreement. Different agreements can treat fees, case costs, and unpaid expenses in different ways. Do not rely on a generic statement from this page or any other public summary.
Ask CGH to show you the exact section of the agreement that explains:
- Whether attorney fees are owed.
- Whether case costs are owed.
- When costs are reviewed.
- How the file closes.
- What documents you receive.
The written agreement controls. If the answer affects whether you want to hire the firm, ask before signing. If a case is already underway and you are unsure, ask CGH to review the agreement language with you again.
Can You Switch Lawyers If You Already Hired Someone?
Sometimes clients call because they already hired a lawyer and have questions about cost, communication, or case progress. Switching lawyers may be possible, but it can raise fee, lien, file-transfer, deadline, and strategy issues. Do not fire a lawyer or sign a new agreement without understanding those issues.
Ask the new lawyer to explain:
- How the prior lawyer’s claimed fee or costs may be handled.
- Whether the prior lawyer has a lien.
- How the file will transfer.
- Whether deadlines are close.
- Whether a court case has already been filed.
- How the new written agreement works.
If your current case is a crash case, CGH’s Denver car accident lawyer page explains the claim types the firm handles. For medical malpractice, start with the Denver medical malpractice lawyer page.
When Cost Questions Should Not Delay Case Review
Cost questions matter. But waiting too long to ask can make the underlying case harder. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can forget, vehicles can be repaired, video can be overwritten, and legal deadlines can approach. You can ask cost questions and protect the case at the same time.
If you are unsure whether to call, call and ask for current terms. You can decide after you understand the agreement. A short case review may also tell you whether there are urgent evidence or deadline issues.
Do not let cost confusion push you into signing an insurance release without legal review. A release can close claims and affect medical bill issues. CGH’s article on understanding personal injury settlements explains why settlement paperwork deserves careful review.
Bring every cost question to the first call. Clear written terms are part of the hiring decision.
Talk With CGH About Fees, Costs, and Your Case
CGH should explain attorney fees, case costs, liens, settlement accounting, and disbursement in writing before you sign. The written agreement controls. Ask questions until you understand the terms.
Call (303) 209-9395 or send the details online. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win. Ask CGH about fee, cost, and language-access terms during intake.
Frequently asked questions
Personal injury lawyer cost questions
Do I pay anything upfront?
The consultation is free, and CGH works on a no fee unless we win basis. The written agreement explains attorney fees, case costs, and when any payment obligations apply, so review it before signing.
Are case costs different from attorney fees?
Yes. Attorney fees pay for legal work under the agreement. Case costs are expenses connected to developing or litigating the case. The written agreement controls how both are handled.
What happens if the case does not produce money?
Ask CGH to show you the exact agreement language. The answer may involve attorney fees, case costs, file closure, and final accounting, and the written agreement controls.
Is the first case review paid or unpaid?
The first case review is free. CGH offers a free consultation, and the firm works on a no fee unless we win basis. The written agreement then sets out the exact fee and cost terms for your case.
Can I switch lawyers if I already hired someone?
Possibly, but it may raise fee, lien, file-transfer, deadline, and strategy issues. Have a lawyer review those issues before ending one agreement or signing another.
This article is general information for Colorado injury readers. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not state CGH’s fee percentage, exact cost terms, consultation terms, or agreement terms. CGH’s current written agreement controls all fee and cost questions.
Related pages
Explore CGH practice areas and resources
Practice area
Get help
IT’S MORE THAN MONEY.
You were injured. We handle everything else.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Denver office serving all of Colorado.
2701 Lawrence St #201, Denver, CO 80205