Fees, costs, and how representation actually works

Families facing a child's birth injury should never have to weigh their finances against finding out what happened. My fee structure is built around that principle, and this page explains it without fine print, though every representation begins with a written agreement that sets out all terms, and that agreement always controls.

No fee, no costs, unless we recover

I handle brachial plexus cases on a contingency fee: my fee is a percentage of what is recovered for your family, set by the written agreement consistent with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and the Florida Constitution. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee and no costs. Period.

Costs are advanced by the firm

Birth injury cases are expensive to build: medical records, expert physician review (which Florida's presuit law requires), and litigation expenses. My firm advances these costs so the investigation never waits on a family's budget. If the case succeeds, advanced costs are reimbursed from the recovery on the terms stated in the written agreement; if there is no recovery, you do not repay them.

What the process looks like

First, the free evaluation and a records review. If the medicine and the law support a claim, Florida's presuit process comes next: a qualified medical expert must corroborate the claim in writing, and each prospective defendant receives a notice of intent that opens a 90-day investigation period. Only after presuit can suit be filed. This structure is one more reason to start early: it front-loads months of work before any courtroom is involved. Some cases resolve along the way; many proceed into litigation, and I prepare every case as if it will be tried.

About co-counsel, said plainly

Catastrophic birth injury litigation is resource-intensive, and sometimes a family is best served by pairing my representation with experienced birth injury trial co-counsel. When I believe that's true, I'll tell you directly. Three things never change: it happens only with your written consent, as Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5 requires; it does not increase your fee, because the attorneys divide one fee and you never pay two; and I remain personally involved and responsible to your family from start to finish. You hired me, and you keep me.

Questions I welcome

Ask me what percentage applies, what costs I anticipate, how NICA or sovereign-immunity issues could affect recovery, or anything else about the economics of your case. A family that understands the terms is a client relationship built right, and every number belongs in writing before you sign anything.