Settlement After Contingency Fee Calculator
Example: Gross settlement amount: 100000 $ · Contingency fee: 33 % · Case costs (experts, filing, records): 6000 $ · Medical liens / bills to repay: 15000 $
| Your net recovery | $46,000 |
| Attorney contingency fee | $33,000 |
| Your share of the settlement | 46.00% |
Worked example
On a $100,000 settlement with a 33% contingency fee, the attorney's fee is $33,000. Subtract $6,000 of case costs and $15,000 of medical liens, and you net about $46,000 — roughly 46% of the headline figure. That is why the gross number can be misleading: costs and liens, not just the fee, determine your take-home, and negotiating liens down is often where extra dollars are found.
Frequently asked questions
What is a contingency fee?
It is a fee arrangement where the attorney is paid a percentage of your recovery only if you win or settle, with a common range around a third, sometimes rising if the case goes to trial. If there is no recovery, you generally owe no attorney fee, though case costs may still apply.
Are case costs taken before or after the fee?
That varies by the fee agreement — some deduct costs before calculating the percentage and some after, which changes your net. This tool subtracts the fee from the gross and then removes costs and liens; review your specific agreement to see which order applies to you.
What is a medical lien?
When a health provider or insurer pays for treatment related to your injury, they may hold a lien — a right to be repaid from your settlement. These liens can be negotiated down, and doing so directly increases your net recovery, so it is worth having your attorney try.
Why is my take-home so much less than the settlement?
Because three things come out first: the attorney's percentage, the accumulated case costs, and any liens. On a case with significant medical bills, the combination can cut the headline figure by more than half, which is exactly why calculating the net before accepting an offer matters.