Intake Process

WORKING WITH A LAWYER

What does contingency fee mean?

A contingency fee is an agreement under which the lawyer is paid only if the client recovers money. There is no hourly bill. There is no upfront retainer. The lawyer advances the costs of the case, including court fees, expert witnesses, and record retrieval, and is reimbursed out of the recovery. If there is no recovery, there is no fee and, in most cases, no obligation to repay costs either. The fee percentage is agreed upon in writing at the start of the representation.

The purpose of the contingency fee is to put serious legal representation within reach of people who could not otherwise afford it. It aligns the interests of lawyer and client. We get paid when you get paid. When we evaluate a case, we are evaluating whether we are likely to help you recover an amount that will fairly compensate you and is justified by the time and resources that will be needed.

How does Hance & Srinivasan decide which cases to take?

As a small firm, we cannot take every case that comes through the doors.  We therefore limit the number of cases we do take to the ones where we feel we can make a difference in the client’s life

We are also honest about what we are not. We are not a volume practice. We do not advertise on billboards. We do not cycle cases through an assembly line. If your case needs a different kind of firm, we will tell you, and we will often suggest where to find it.

Law should feel like clarity, not confusion.

What happens during a first consultation?

A first consultation is a conversation. We ask you to tell us what happened. We ask for the documents and records we need to evaluate the facts, including the police report if there is one, photographs, medical records, and correspondence with insurance companies. We answer your questions as directly as we can. 

The consultation is free. There is no obligation. If we take the case, we explain the process, the fee, and the realistic range of outcomes. If we decline, we explain why, and when possible, we point you toward someone who may be a better fit.

How long will my case take?

Honestly, longer than you expect. A straightforward motor vehicle case with clear liability and full medical recovery may resolve in several months. A contested case that requires expert witnesses, depositions, and trial preparation often takes a year or more. Medical malpractice and wrongful death cases commonly take two to four years from filing to resolution. The timeline is driven by the facts, the defense strategy, the court’s docket, and the time it takes for the injured person to reach a point of maximum medical improvement, which is when the full extent of damages becomes clear. Settling a case before that point usually means settling for less than the case is worth.

Do most cases go to trial?

Most do not. The vast majority of personal injury claims settle, either through direct negotiation or at mediation. But cases settle for full value when the defense believes the lawyer on the other side will actually try the case if no fair offer is made. Our reputation, and our willingness to walk into a courtroom when the evidence is on our side, is a substantial part of what makes settlement possible. Insurance companies keep records of who tries cases and who folds. So do we.