How Much Does a Wrongful Death Attorney Cost?

Wrongful death attorneys work on contingency — no upfront fees. They take 25%–40% of the final settlement or verdict, with 33% being most common. On a $750,000 settlement, that's $247,500 in attorney fees. Even after fees, represented families receive substantially more than those who negotiate alone. Case expenses — expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, depositions, medical record review — typically run $20,000–$100,000 and are usually advanced by the attorney and deducted from the settlement. Some states cap contingency fees: Florida caps fees at 33.3% for settlements and 40% for trials. Before signing, ask: What is your contingency percentage? Does it increase at trial? Who pays case expenses — me or the firm? How many wrongful death cases have you handled? What is your track record against similar defendants? Case complexity is the primary cost driver. A straightforward car accident case costs far less to litigate than a complex product liability or medical malpractice wrongful death case. Studies show that represented plaintiffs receive 3–4 times more in compensation than unrepresented claimants, even after attorney fees.