Apologies - this is just a rant, and I will be extremely respectful to Resolute Legal as this is their playground! I’m grateful for the forum, and for the people here, and I have not spoken to David. I will reach out shortly though.
My rant is this. In the GTA, almost all disability lawyers only work on contingency fees. I ask for hourly retainer options and most of them say no.
I get that contingency fees allow for clients to seek justice if they can’t afford them, but how a lawyer gets paid (hourly or contingency) should be moot. Now, if lawyers are wanting their 33% of a client’s settlement, then that is their “fees paid” and then a settlement of the backs of a person’s disability…oi vey, that’s pretty shameful.
I don’t understand why there are so few hourly retainer options out there. I did find a few, which I won’t post here out of respect for David’s forum here, but my rant today is…I find this grossly unfair to claimants
This is a great question. I have some initial thoughts, but I am going to think it over and discuss it in detail on my weekly live stream next Tuesday on Youtube. I will also circle back here to give an answer after the show.
David Brannen
Disability Lawyer with Resolute Legal
The response posted above is based on the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with a lawyer, fully explain your situation, and allow the lawyer enough time to research the applicable law and facts required to give an adequate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full one-on-one discussion with a lawyer should be done before taking any any action. The information posted on this forum is available to the viewing public and is not intended to create a lawyer client relationship with any person. If you want one-on-one advice, please click here to request a free consultation or call toll free 1-877-917-7050 to speak with a member with our disability claim support team.
Thank you David. If you are interested in an hourly retainer scenario and feel comfortable posting that you are here, please do let me and us know. I’d love to reach out.
In my case, the claim amount is potentially very large due to my pre disability income. I feel strongly about my case and can afford paying hourly. I know there are few in my position, but while it might make sense for a lawyer to take 30% of a $100,000 claim. It doesn’t make sense for a lawyer to take 30% of a $1M claim, as an example, even if the lawyer is charging $XXX/hour.
In my view, a lawyer is doing roughly the same work for both and it really comes down to the strength of the case. A Statement of Claim is, what, $5000. AOD/Productions, then Discovery, etc, it’s all the same motions. Sure, minor variances here and there, but I feel the disability lawyer side of things is extremely shady to me, but maybe it is I who is wrong with my understanding.
