Last Updated - September 14, 2026
Read Time - Ex: 5 minutes
The most common reason injured people never call a lawyer is money. They assume representation requires a retainer they cannot afford, so they handle the claim themselves and accept whatever the insurer offers.
Personal injury law does not work that way. Nearly all injury cases are handled on contingency, meaning the attorney is paid from the recovery rather than from your pocket. Connecticut goes a step further than most states by capping those fees in statute, so the ceiling is set by law before you sign anything.
Under a contingency agreement, you pay no attorney fee up front and no hourly rate. If the case produces a settlement or verdict, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of it. If the case does not produce a recovery, no attorney fee is owed.
That arrangement aligns the incentives. The firm only gets paid if you do, and the firm is paid more when you recover more. It also means a lawyer has to evaluate a case honestly before accepting it, since taking a claim that cannot succeed costs the firm money.
This is where Connecticut differs from most of the country. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-251c limits contingency fees in personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage cases using a sliding scale that decreases as the recovery grows:
Thirty-three and one third percent of the first $300,000
Twenty-five percent of the next $300,000
Twenty percent of the next $300,000
Fifteen percent of the next $300,000
Ten percent of any amount above $1,200,000
Two features are worth understanding. The percentages apply to the amount awarded and received by the claimant, and the statute provides that the contingency fee is the exclusive method of payment for the attorney by the claimant.
The statute also permits a claimant to waive the schedule, but only under strict conditions. Any waiver must be in writing, must set out the full statutory fee schedule, must include a specific boldface acknowledgment in at least twelve point type stating that the claimant knowingly and voluntarily waives the schedule, and must be signed and acknowledged before a notary or other authorized person. Those requirements exist to make waiver deliberate rather than buried in paperwork.
This distinction causes more confusion than the percentages do.
The fee is what the attorney earns for the work. Costs are the out of pocket expenses of building the case: filing fees, marshal service, medical record retrieval, deposition transcripts, accident reconstruction, and expert witness charges. Serious cases can carry substantial costs, particularly where catastrophic injuries require life care planning and economic testimony.
Most injury firms advance these costs and are reimbursed from the recovery. The questions worth asking any firm before signing are whether costs are advanced, whether the fee is calculated before or after costs are deducted, and what happens to costs if the case does not succeed. There is no single industry standard, so ask rather than assume.
Your net amount is not simply the settlement minus the fee. Liens and reimbursement claims may also apply, including health insurer subrogation, Medicare or Medicaid, workers’ compensation, and unpaid medical providers.
Resolving those obligations well can matter as much to your bottom line as the gross settlement figure. Negotiating a lien down is money in your pocket that never appears in the headline number. Our guide to economic and non-economic damages explains how Connecticut’s collateral source rule interacts with these obligations, and why the subrogation exception frequently works in an injured person’s favor.
A written agreement should be clear on all of the following, and any firm should answer these directly:
What percentage applies, and does it change if the case is filed in court or tried
Whether the fee is calculated on the gross recovery or after costs
Who advances case costs, and what happens to them if there is no recovery
Who handles lien negotiation and whether that is included
How and when you will receive updates
Whether you approve any settlement before it is accepted, which you should
Take the agreement home and read it. Any firm unwilling to let you do that has told you something useful.
A reasonable question is whether the fee eats the benefit. The answer depends on the case, and an honest lawyer will tell you when a small, clear claim does not need representation. Our guide on when to hire a personal injury lawyer addresses exactly that.
Where representation tends to matter is in claims involving disputed fault, serious or permanent injury, multiple defendants, commercial insurance, or future medical needs. In those cases the difference between an unrepresented offer and a properly documented claim is usually not marginal. See how insurers evaluate claims and what evidence matters for why.
A consultation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. You can ask what your claim involves, what the deadlines are, and whether you need a lawyer at all, then decide.
Talk with a Waterbury personal injury lawyer, a car accident lawyer, or a truck accident lawyer about your case. Etemi Law Injury Lawyers also represents injured people in Hartford, New Haven, and Norwalk. Contact us for a free consultation.
Share your information, and our team will be in touch.
Judgment against drunk driver in wrongful death case.
Hand injury caused during automobile crash.
Case involving automobile collision resulting in serious bodily injuries.
Award from arbitration.
Low velocity soft tissue settlement.
Involving spinal injury.
Policy limit settlement for nose injury from airbag deployment.
Mediated settlement in case involving complex claims of injury.
Leg injury following head-on car crash.
Posted on Google![]()
Katie F4 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing experience great staff. Would highly recommend to anyone who has been injured and see for yourselfPosted on Google![]()
Alyssa F4 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Awesome outcome thanks so much !!Posted on Google![]()
Gabriel L4 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
They are great at what they do ,,, life changing great , Ron and Lue are like the Jorden and Rodman of personal injury !!!! Vote for Lue !!!!Posted on Google![]()
Donald D9 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Enemies law is real professional they actually care about there clients they call me every month with a update of my case and make sure I am alright as a person also they have put me in contact with Dr's that actually help you Thank you for your servicePosted on Google![]()
Donald D11 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I want to start out by thanking Etemi Law firm for a exceptional job first of all top notch job. I went to Etemi Law Firm with just a picture of a out of state license plate and some personal injuries I was involved in a hit and run accident on 95 first they got me lined up with the right Drs to help me with my recovery then they started there job in no time they had the driver of the truck that hit me but also the company the truck was leased to that was in Texas good investigating I had Attorney Semir Dervisi he did a fantastic job all the way to the mediation hearing he wasn't taking nothing less then I deserved and he did everything he said he was going to do we went over my case serval times so I knew exactly what was going on and if your lucky enough to get Michelle as your paralegal you got the best she called me every month just to check on me in my recovery make sure I was getting all the right treatments I needed,answered any questions I had she would answer and if she didn't have the answer she would get with the attorney to get it and call me back she is wonderful hard working lady. I would highly recommend Etemi if you need a attorney that caresPosted on Google![]()
Wislyne N27 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a great experience, I have no complaints. It was such a smooth process. Michelle is so so sweet, she was so communicative and understanding and patient with me. Ron is also awesome!!Posted on Google![]()
Isidro R43 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lou and Nicole were an absolute blessing and have helped me out so much! Love them both!Posted on Google![]()
Jennifer S48 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing service… pleasure to work with the whole team to get max payout.Posted on Google![]()
Ahmed I49 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a great experience with Etemi Law throughout the entire process. They were very professional, patient, and always kept me informed every step of the way. They genuinely cared about my situation and made the process much easier and less stressful for me. I truly appreciate their hard work, communication, and dedication. I would definitely recommend Etemi Law to anyone looking for a personal injury lawyer.Posted on Google![]()
Aljbnor T141 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Etemi law is the best! I had attorney Lou And paralegal Michelle and they got the job done. I highly recommend them to anyone in an accident!Posted on Google![]()
Heaven H148 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a great experience working with Etemi Law. They were professional, knowledgeable, and always kept me informed throughout the process. They took the time to answer my questions and made me feel confident every step of the way. I truly appreciate their hard work and dedication. From start to finish, my lawyer went above and beyond for me. They were responsive, compassionate, and fought hard for the best outcome. I felt supported during a stressful time and am very grateful for their help. Would highly recommend them to anyone needing legal assistancePosted on Google![]()
Anisa B159 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Best place to go too!!Posted on Google![]()
Kimberly C160 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Everyone was very friendly. I Was very satisfied with Lou Etemi.Posted on Google![]()
Victor J175 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ron ( lawyer)at Etemi Law helped us alot in our case. He was honest and very informational as this was our first case. If I needed a lawyer again I would go through Etemi Law. I have nothing but the best things to say about them. Very pleased. Each n every member of this law firm professional n courteous, specialy Ms VE, always kept us informed about casePosted on Google![]()
Bijt E179 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Etemi law is the best firm ever. Michelle is the bomb. I highly recommend them as a firm to anyone! Best attorneys ever!Posted on Google![]()
Loue E185 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Outstanding experiencePosted on Google![]()
Samir D194 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I was involved in a serious crash and Etemi Law went above and beyond to help me through the process. They were with me every step of the way. If you are ever in need of an attorney, this is the firm that I recommend. They care about communication and they care about their clients. Ron and V were there for me from the beginning and I am super grateful. Highly recommend!!Posted on Google![]()
Yameci197 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Attorneys are amazing here! Will 100% recommend them to anyone in need of lawyers ☺️Posted on Google![]()
Clams197 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Very very grateful I was referred to Etemi Law. Lou, Ron & Michelle made me feel like family, and this may sound crazy but I’m going to miss them. I can tell you with certainty that they are all great at what they do, and I would not hesitate at all to recommend them to friends and family. 100% the best, not even a close second to Etemi Law.Posted on Google![]()
Steve D197 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I was referred to Lou Etemi by close friend and they were extremely professional. I’m very grateful for the way they handled me personally and my case they were very personable and they carried a great deal about how I felt and they treated me like family.Posted on Google![]()
Jefrey R211 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I can’t say enough great things about Lou and his entire team. From the very beginning, they treated me with professionalism, respect, and genuine care. After my car accident, I was stressed and unsure about the process, but Lou and his crew made everything feel manageable and kept me informed every step of the way. Their communication was excellent, always answering my questions and making sure I understood what was going on. You can tell they truly fight for their clients and don’t settle for less than what you deserve. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, they were able to reach a settlement for my case, and I couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, responsive, and truly has your best interests at heart, I highly recommend Lou and his team. They really go above and beyond.Posted on Google![]()
Derek C214 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ron and V were the best possible team to land with when I was hit head on. I was referred to Etemi by a friend, somewhat out of necessity, and again...can't imagine I would have had a better support team or outcome. Not only did they educate me on the process, but also understood and planned for how insurance companies are trained to approach my specific case. If you are in a serious accident, Etemi deserves an interview to handle your situation. Thanks again guys.
Founded by Waterbury natives Ron and Lou Etemi, our firm is deeply connected to the communities we serve. We bring determined advocacy and proven results to serious injury cases across Connecticut.
Complete the form below to request your free, confidential consultation.
