If you’re asking, “How much does Morgan and Morgan take from a settlement?” the short answer is that it usually depends on the fee agreement you signed, the type of case, and any case expenses that must be repaid. In many personal injury cases, lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning they are paid only if you recover money.
That means the amount you keep is not just the settlement amount minus the attorney fee. You also need to account for case costs, medical liens, and possible taxes. Below, we’ll walk through the typical calculation and show clear examples so you can estimate your net recovery.
How Much Does Morgan And Morgan Take From A Settlement?
Morgan & Morgan’s fee is generally based on the contingency agreement in your case, not a single fixed percentage that applies to every claim. In a contingency arrangement, the law firm takes an agreed-upon percentage of the settlement or verdict, and you may also owe case expenses. The exact amount can vary by case type, state law, and the contract you signed.
How contingency fees usually work
A contingency fee means the lawyer gets paid from the recovery instead of charging by the hour. This structure is common in personal injury, accident, and some other civil claims. If there is no recovery, you may owe no attorney fee, though you could still be responsible for certain costs depending on the agreement.
Typical pieces that affect your net settlement
- Attorney fee: the percentage the firm takes from the settlement or award.
- Case expenses: filing fees, records, expert witnesses, deposition costs, and similar charges.
- Medical liens or reimbursements: amounts owed to health insurers, hospitals, or other providers.
- Taxes: some parts of a settlement may be taxable, depending on what the money is for and your jurisdiction.
Why the percentage is not always the whole story
Two cases with the same settlement amount can leave you with very different net proceeds. A case with high expert costs or large medical liens can reduce your take-home amount even if the attorney fee percentage is the same. That is why the settlement check is not the same as the amount you personally keep.
How to calculate what you keep from a settlement
The basic formula is:
Net settlement = Gross settlement − attorney fee − case expenses − liens/reimbursements − taxes, if any
Here, the gross settlement is the total amount before deductions. The net settlement is what remains for you after all deductions are paid.
Example 1: Simple settlement calculation
Assume these illustrative numbers:
- Gross settlement: $100,000
- Attorney fee: 33.3%
- Case expenses: $2,500
- Medical lien: $10,000
Step 1: Calculate the attorney fee
$100,000 × 33.3% = $33,300
Step 2: Subtract expenses
$100,000 − $33,300 − $2,500 = $64,200
Step 3: Subtract the lien
$64,200 − $10,000 = $54,200
Estimated net to you: $54,200
This is only an example. Your actual numbers may differ based on your contract, the case outcome, and any required deductions.
Example 2: Smaller settlement with higher costs
Assume:
- Gross settlement: $25,000
- Attorney fee: 40%
- Case expenses: $3,000
- No lien
Attorney fee: $25,000 × 40% = $10,000
Remaining after fee: $25,000 − $10,000 = $15,000
After expenses: $15,000 − $3,000 = $12,000
Estimated net to you: $12,000
In smaller cases, expenses can take a bigger share of the recovery. That is one reason it is important to ask how costs are handled before signing a fee agreement.
What percentage does a settlement lawyer usually take?
In many contingency-fee cases, the attorney fee is often expressed as a percentage of the recovery. A common range in personal injury matters is around one-third, but the actual percentage can vary. Some cases may have different rates depending on whether the case settles early, goes to litigation, or proceeds to trial. The exact terms come from the retainer agreement and applicable rules.
Factors that can change the fee percentage
- The type of case
- How far the case progresses
- State rules and court requirements
- Whether the case is settled before or after filing suit
- Whether additional work, experts, or appeals are involved
If you are reviewing an agreement, look for language about “contingency fee,” “litigation costs,” “advanced expenses,” and whether expenses are deducted before or after the attorney fee is calculated.
Are case expenses separate from the lawyer’s fee?
Yes, often they are. Attorney fees compensate the firm for legal work, while case expenses cover out-of-pocket costs needed to pursue the claim. Depending on the contract, expenses may be deducted from the settlement before the fee is calculated, after the fee is calculated, or reimbursed separately. That detail matters because it changes your net amount.
Common case expenses
- Medical records and police reports
- Court filing fees
- Deposition transcripts
- Expert witness fees
- Investigation or accident reconstruction costs
- Postage, copying, and other administrative charges
Ask for a written explanation of which expenses are advanced by the firm and which are ultimately your responsibility if the case is successful or unsuccessful.
Will you owe taxes on a settlement?
Possibly, but it depends on what the settlement is for and where you live. In the United States, some personal physical injury settlements may be excluded from taxable income, while other parts of a settlement can be taxable, such as punitive damages, interest, or compensation for lost wages in some situations. Tax treatment can vary by country and by the specific facts of the case.
Why tax treatment matters
If part of your settlement is taxable, the amount you receive may not be the amount you get to keep after tax. Because tax rules can be complex and fact-specific, it is wise to ask a qualified tax professional about your own situation.
How to estimate your own payout
If you want a rough estimate, use this step-by-step method:
- Start with the gross settlement amount.
- Multiply by the contingency fee percentage to estimate the attorney fee.
- Subtract case expenses.
- Subtract any liens, reimbursements, or other required payments.
- Set aside money for possible taxes if any part may be taxable.
Quick worksheet
- Gross settlement: $_____
- Attorney fee percentage: _____%
- Estimated attorney fee: $_____
- Case expenses: $_____
- Liens/reimbursements: $_____
- Estimated net: $_____
This worksheet gives you a planning estimate, not a guarantee. Final numbers can change when medical bills, settlement terms, or court approvals are finalized.
Questions to ask before you agree to a settlement
Before accepting any offer, make sure you understand exactly how the money will be divided.
- What is the exact contingency fee percentage?
- Are costs deducted before or after the fee is calculated?
- What expenses have already been advanced?
- Are there any known liens or reimbursement claims?
- Will the settlement be reduced by taxes or withholdings?
- Can you see a written settlement statement before signing?
A clear written breakdown helps you avoid surprises and compare offers more confidently.
Bottom line
How much Morgan and Morgan takes from a settlement depends on your fee agreement, case expenses, liens, and any tax issues that apply. The simplest way to estimate your share is to start with the gross settlement and subtract the attorney fee, costs, and other deductions. If you want to understand related legal-finance costs, you may also find how much it costs to set up a trust and how much a CPA costs useful for planning.