Are There Any Additional Costs Involved?

          In addition to the fixed, hourly, retainer, contingency or statutory fees that you have to pay to the lawyer, you may be charged certain other costs. Indeed there are typical costs you may have to pay even if you don't win your case or settle it out of court. Here is a detailed list of those costs: certified shorthand reporter charges for taking down testimony at depositions and trials and for providing written transcripts of that testimony, per page or flat fee for word processing, copying and faxes, and possibly for secretarial time spent on these tasks, including overtime and telephone charges, expert or consultant fees for any time spent in evaluating the case and testifying in court, court filing fees, and other court costs, investigators fees for helping to gather facts. Investigators usually charge an hourly fee and also may charge for expenses such as mileage, meals and lodging, jury fees and mileage fees, which are set by law, if you request a jury for your case. These expenses must be paid in advance, travel expenses for the lawyer while traveling on your behalf, which can include gasoline, mileage, parking fees, meals, airfare and lodging, witness fees and mileage charges for people who testify at depositions and trials. The amounts are set by law. You also may need to pay travel expenses if a witness must be brought in from far away.

          You have to be sure that you understand all the different expenses for which you will be responsible. Your lawyer may charge you other costs too. Find out if you will be responsible for paying extra costs directly or if you will have to reimburse the lawyer for costs that he or she may pay on your behalf. It is highly recommended to ask your lawyer for a written estimate of anticipated additional costs.