March 25, 2025 | Personal Injury
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Berwick, Pennsylvania, you may be wondering how much money you’ll actually get from your personal injury settlement. While you might hear about large settlements, not all of that money goes directly into your pocket. There are several factors that determine how much you will receive after legal fees, medical bills, and other costs are deducted.
Understanding the Settlement Process
A personal injury settlement is the money paid to you by the at-fault party’s insurance company after an accident. The goal of the settlement is to cover your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Before you see any of the money, though, certain deductions must be made.
If you have never been through the process before, speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand what to expect and how to maximize your settlement.
What Factors Affect Your Final Settlement Amount?
Several things can impact the final amount you take home from a personal injury settlement. These include:
- Medical Bills: If you received medical treatment after your accident, those expenses will likely be deducted from your settlement.
- Attorney Fees: Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they take a percentage of your settlement as payment.
- Court Costs and Legal Expenses: Filing fees, expert witnesses, and other legal costs may also be deducted.
- Insurance Liens: If your health insurance or Medicaid paid for your medical treatment, they may be entitled to reimbursement from your settlement.
- Lost Wages and Future Medical Care: If you missed work or need long-term treatment, this can also affect your total settlement.
To ensure you receive the maximum amount possible, having a personal injury lawyer review your case can be beneficial.
How Are Attorney Fees Calculated?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not get paid unless you win your case. Their fee is usually a percentage of your settlement, typically 33-40%, depending on the agreement.
For example, if you receive a $100,000 settlement for a car accident and your attorney takes a 33% fee, they would receive $33,000, leaving you with $67,000 before other expenses are deducted.
A lawyer can help negotiate your medical bills and reduce expenses, allowing you to keep more of your settlement.
What About Medical Bills and Liens?
If you received medical care after your accident, those bills need to be paid from your settlement. There are two main ways this happens:
- Medical Liens: Some doctors and hospitals may agree to treat you with the understanding that they will be paid from your settlement.
- Health Insurance Reimbursement: If your health insurance paid for your treatment, they may require reimbursement from your settlement.
A personal injury lawyer can negotiate with medical providers to lower the amount you owe, which can increase the money you take home.
Typical Breakdown of a Personal Injury Settlement
Here’s an example of how a settlement might be divided:
- Total Settlement Amount: $100,000
- Attorney Fees (33%): -$33,000
- Medical Bills: -$15,000
- Legal Costs: -$2,000
- Health Insurance Lien: -$5,000
- Final Amount to You: $45,000
Every case is different, so your final amount may vary depending on the details of your claim and negotiations.
How to Maximize Your Settlement
If you want to keep more of your settlement, consider these steps:
- Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer: A lawyer can negotiate your settlement and reduce your expenses.
- Keep Good Records: Save all medical bills, receipts, and documents related to your case.
- Negotiate Medical Bills: Some providers may reduce your bills if they know you are paying out of a settlement.
- Be Patient: Rushing to accept a settlement may result in less money. Let your lawyer handle negotiations.
Taking these steps can help you get the best outcome from your personal injury claim. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can also ensure that you are not leaving money on the table.
Contact the Scranton Personal Injury Lawyers of Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC for Help Today
For more information, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC to schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We proudly serve clients in Scranton, Kingston, Honesdale, Berwick, PA, and Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne Counties. We’re here to fight for your rights with trusted, experienced legal support. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Scranton
436 Spruce St Suite 100, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Kingston
183 Market St #200, Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Honesdale
520 Main St, Honesdale, PA 18431
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Berwick
120 W Front St, Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 714-4878
