How much does it cost to hire a workers' comp attorney?
Last Updated: 11/15/2025
Learn about workers' comp attorney fees in Georgia: 25% max contingency fee, typical expenses, and the no-win no-fee guarantee.
Attorney Fee Quick Facts
Worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer? You can afford quality legal help:
- No upfront costs: You pay nothing to get started
- Only pay if you win: Your attorney gets paid when you get paid
- Maximum 25% fee: Georgia law caps fees at 25% of what you recover
- Zero risk to you: If you don’t win, you owe nothing
Injured workers on limited income can get expert legal help without financial stress.
The Contingency Fee Basis
Workers’ comp attorneys in Georgia work on a contingency fee basis. Here’s what that means:
- No upfront payment: You don’t pay a retainer or deposit to hire an attorney
- No hourly billing: You won’t get bills while your case moves forward
- Payment only if you win: Your attorney gets paid only when you recover benefits
This removes the money barrier that stops many injured workers from getting legal help when they need it most.
Many injured workers are out of work or earning less because of their injury. The contingency fee system means you can get quality legal help even when money is tight. You’re not taking a financial risk—the attorney is. They work for free unless they win your case.
The 25% Maximum Fee in Georgia
Georgia law strictly limits workers’ comp attorney fees to protect injured workers.
State Board Sets the Maximum
The State Board of Workers’ Compensation sets a maximum fee of 25% for workers’ comp cases. This means:
- No attorney can charge more than 25% of what you recover
- The fee is based on your settlement or award amount
- This is a hard cap—it can’t be exceeded no matter how complex your case
Case Expenses: What You Might Owe
While attorney fees depend on winning, some case expenses may come up during your case.
Typical Expenses Include
Common Case Expenses
- Medical records ($50-150 per provider)
- Deposition transcripts if needed ($200-500)
- Expert witness fees for complex cases ($500-2,000)
- Filing fees with the State Board (minimal)
- Certified copies of documents ($10-50)
- Postage and document service costs ($20-50)
A typical workers’ comp case that settles without a trial usually costs around $200-300 in expenses. Cases with hearings or trials may cost more.
How Expenses Are Handled
At Bourne Law Firm, we handle expenses like this:
- No upfront cost to you: We pay all expenses upfront
- Minimal for most cases: Average cost in non-trial cases is about $250
- Deducted from recovery: Expenses are paid back from your settlement or award
- Discussed in advance: We tell you about any big expenses before we spend the money
Expense Example
Case settlement: $30,000
- Medical records: $150
- Miscellaneous costs: $100
- Total expenses: $250
- Attorney fee (25%): $7,500
- Your net recovery: $30,000 - $250 - $7,500 = $22,250
If your case goes to a full hearing, expenses can be higher—potentially $1,000-3,000 or more. This covers expert witnesses, depositions, and trial prep. Your attorney should talk with you about this if your case needs a trial.
The “No Recovery, No Fee” Guarantee
One of the best protections for injured workers is the “no recovery, no fee” promise.
What This Means for You
If your attorney can’t get you compensation:
- You owe no attorney fees: Zero payment for their work
- No surprise bills: You won’t get an invoice for the attorney’s time
Why Attorneys Accept This Risk
This setup ensures your attorney is:
- Motivated to win: They only get paid if you get paid
- Honest about your case: They’ll tell you if your case has merit
- Committed to your success: Your goals match—get you the most money possible
At Bourne Law Firm, we stand by the “no recovery, no fee” promise. We review each case carefully to make sure we can help. We fight for the best outcome because our success depends on yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I negotiate a lower attorney fee percentage?
Do I have to pay the attorney fee upfront?
What if I win my case but the insurance company won't pay?
Are attorney fees tax-deductible?
What if I fire my attorney mid-case?
Will the attorney fee come out of my medical benefits?
How do I know if the fee is worth it?
Can the attorney charge more than 25%?
The Bottom Line on Attorney Fees
Hurt on the job and worried about legal costs? You can afford expert help.
At Bourne Law Firm, we believe every injured worker deserves quality legal help, no matter their financial situation. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis with zero upfront costs.
Our Commitment to You
- Free consultation: Talk about your case at no cost
- No upfront fees: Start your case without paying anything
- 25% contingency fee: Only if we win your case
- No recovery, no fee: If we don’t win, you owe nothing
- Clear billing: All fees explained in your contract before we start
- Experienced representation: Skilled workers’ comp lawyers fighting for top benefits with over 40 years compbined experience.
Our experienced workers’ comp attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve—with zero upfront or ongoing costs to you.
Call Bourne Law Firm at (770) 886-3030 for a free consultation about your case.
Related Articles
- Why Hire a Workers’ Comp Attorney? - The benefits of legal representation
- What Does a Workers’ Comp Lawyer Do? - Understanding the attorney’s role
- Unreasonable Defense Penalties - When insurance companies must pay extra
- How Workers’ Compensation Works - System overview
This article gives general information about workers’ comp attorney fees in Georgia. You should discuss fee details with your attorney and get them in writing in a retainer agreement. Actual fees and expenses may vary based on your case.
