What should I look for in a contingency fee agreement before signing?

A contingency fee agreement is the contract between you and your attorney governing how fees are paid. Before signing, review these key provisions: (1) The fee percentage at each stage — does it increase from 33% to 40% upon filing a lawsuit? What is the percentage if the case goes to appeal? (2) Expense deduction timing — are expenses deducted before or after the contingency percentage is applied? Deducting expenses first results in a higher attorney fee. (3) Which expenses are included — court filing fees, expert witnesses, deposition costs, investigation costs, medical records. (4) What happens if you fire the attorney or if they withdraw — is their fee calculated on hours worked or on a percentage of the ultimate recovery? (5) Termination provisions. (6) Conflict of interest disclosures. Most personal injury agreements are standard and straightforward, but understanding these terms before signing prevents disputes later. Your attorney should clearly explain every provision.