You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
If a serious injury has turned your life upside down, the last thing you should worry about is whether you can afford a lawyer. At Ellis & Associates, our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — which means you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney’s fee unless we win compensation for you. For more than 65 years, our family-led firm has helped injured people across Worcester County and throughout New England pursue the recovery they deserve, without the financial risk of paying by the hour.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a payment arrangement in which your attorney’s fee is a percentage of the money recovered in your case, rather than an hourly rate or a bill you pay out of pocket. If your case does not result in a settlement or award, you do not owe an attorney’s fee at all.
This structure exists so that quality legal representation is available to everyone — not just people who can write a large check up front. It also keeps our interests aligned with yours: we only get paid when you do, so we are motivated to pursue the strongest possible result on your behalf.
How a Contingency Fee Works
The process is straightforward, and we explain every step clearly before you sign anything:
- You meet with us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.
- If we take your case, you sign a written contingency fee agreement that spells out the percentage and terms.
- We handle the work of building your claim while you focus on recovery — with no hourly bills along the way.
- If we recover compensation, our fee is a pre-agreed percentage of that amount.
- If we do not recover anything, you owe no attorney’s fee.
What About Case Costs and Expenses?
Beyond the attorney’s fee, most cases involve certain costs — things like medical records, expert opinions, and filing fees. We discuss how these expenses are handled during your consultation and lay them out plainly in your written agreement, so there are never any surprises. Our goal is simple: you should always understand exactly what you are agreeing to.
Contingency Fees in Massachusetts
Massachusetts takes client protection seriously. Under the state’s Rules of Professional Conduct, a contingency fee agreement in a personal injury matter must be put in writing, and it must clearly state the percentage the attorney will receive and how expenses affect the final recovery. Every client at Ellis & Associates receives that written agreement and a clear explanation of it before any work begins.
Because fee arrangements can differ by case type, we always review your specific situation with you directly. Whether your claim involves a car accident, a slip and fall, dog bite, or other personal injury, we make sure you know how you will be represented and what it will cost before you commit to anything.
Why Injured Clients Across Massachusetts Choose Ellis & Associates
Ellis & Associates is a family-centered boutique firm — not a high-volume legal factory. We are selective about the cases we take, which means the cases we do accept receive our full attention. You will always know which attorney is handling your claim, reach a real person when you call, and get honest, straightforward answers at every stage.
That personal approach is backed by a record clients can rely on:
- More than 65 years serving Worcester County, Massachusetts, and New England
- An A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- Named a 10 Best Law Firm for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, with attorney Nicholas Ellis individually recognized as a 10 Best Attorney
- A long record of positive client reviews from the people we have represented
You can learn more about the people who will handle your case on our Attorneys page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
A. Your initial consultation is free, and personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no upfront cost and no hourly billing — our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you.
Q. Do I pay anything if I lose my case?
A. No. If we do not recover compensation in your case, you do not owe an attorney’s fee. This is what “no win, no fee” means in practice.
Q. What percentage does a contingency fee lawyer take?
A. The percentage is agreed on before we begin and is set out in your written agreement. In personal injury cases the fee is commonly around one-third of the recovery, but we will explain your exact terms clearly so you know what to expect.
Q. Are contingency fee agreements required to be in writing in Massachusetts?
A. Yes. Massachusetts requires contingency fee agreements in personal injury cases to be in writing, stating the fee percentage and how expenses are handled. We provide and explain that agreement before any work starts.
Q. How do I get started?
A. Simply contact us to schedule your free consultation. We will review your situation, answer your questions, and explain your options — with no obligation and no cost to you.
Talk to a Contingency Fee Lawyer Today
You should not have to choose between getting quality legal help and protecting your finances. With Ellis & Associates, you get both: experienced, compassionate representation with nothing owed unless we win. Call us at 508-791-7333 or toll-free at 1-800-MR-ELLIS, or request your free consultation online. We serve clients throughout Worcester County and across New England.