Fees Charged By The Law Firm To Our Clients

At Aaron Waxman and Associates, P.C., our lawyers understand that all of our clients are as unique as are their cases and therefore we ensure that all services are tailored to each individual client from the outset. It all starts with how we charge. At our firm we recognize that most people who require professional legal services cannot afford to pay upfront for such services when their income or benefits have been terminated or denied by an insurer or employer. Moreover, we recognize that people who have not been paid by their insurer or employer in some time would have to first be concerned about finances for their shelter and living expenses prior to worrying about the costs associated with obtaining competent legal counsel to assist them with their claim. More importantly, how can a person be expected to access justice if they are unable to pay for legal fees? At Aaron Waxman and Associates, P.C., for as long as we are your lawyers, we only get paid after we get you paid.

There are many law firms who will ask you for upfront payment to fund the fees of the lawyer. There are also those firms that will ask you for payment of expenses or disbursements regardless of the outcome of your case (some at the beginning of the case and some firms will even request payment of their expenses at the end of the case regardless of whether or not you are paid at the end of your lawsuit or claim). There are many firms that will charge you a blended hourly and percentage rate, and you may be held financially liable to pay the hourly account even if you are not paid at the end of your lawsuit or claim. Provided that we are your lawyers at the end of your case/claim, we will never hold you financially responsible for our time or expenses if you are not paid at the end of your case/claim.

At Aaron Waxman and Associates, P.C., our lawyers only get paid after we get our client paid first. This means that once the client is paid, then we take our fees and disbursements. At Aaron Waxman and Associates, P.C., unlike many other firms, we charge a pure contingency fee which basically means that we do not charge our client if our client is not paid at the end of their case (provided that we are the lawyer when their case settles or Judgment is rendered).  Moreover, the account of your lawyer should never come as a surprise to any client for the simple reason that all clients are advised in writing as to the amount of money they should receive prior to them signing settlement documentation. Clients are always provided with copies of their written instructions prior to ever executing settlement documentation.

In terms of our account, the account is always transparent and all disbursements and/or expenses incurred by the law firm are itemized and accounted for as are all credits that the client is entitled to receive.

At Aaron Waxman and Associates, P.C., the contingency fee charged is based on the following factors:

• The complexity of issues in dispute;
• The time and effort expended by the lawyers, law clerks and administrative staff to bring about your result;
• The risks of taking on such a case;
• Results achieved on your behalf in the context of these issues.
  
  

The lawyers at Aaron Waxman and Associates work in a number of different areas. Accordingly, the fees we charge vary from subject area of law to the type of case and other factors surrounding the case. 

As lawyers who charge contingency fees, we are required to advise as to the maximum fee charged by us. Notwithstanding, the maximum fee outlined below, please remember that you might be charged less at time of sign up or at the time of settlement as it all depends on the type of case and other factors surrounding the case. In addition to the fee percentage charged and over and above any fees charged, most lawyers but not all lawyers (this applies to lawyers that work in a private practice) are required to apply the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to any and all fees charged.

The maximum percentage charged for a contingency fee per subject area is as follows:

• Disability (LTD/STD/creditor’s disability/Loan disability) is 35%;
• Mortgage Disability is 35%;
• Critical Illness Insurance (C.I.) & life insurance claims (C.I./life group/individual policy or Mortgage C.I./life or creditor’s C.I./life) is 35%;
• Employment (wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal) is 45%;
• Human Rights claims, Human Rights Tribunal type cases is 45%;
• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims (accident benefits and/or tort claim) is 35%;
• Slip/trip and fall type cases is 35%;
• General negligence type cases is 35%;
• Business interruption type cases is 35%;
• Canada Pension Plan Disability Cases is 33% (the 33% applies to arrears only);
  
  

Of course, the fees charged to you may be the same as those charged above, however, the fees charged to you will not exceed the above percentage. The amounts charged for fees do not include disbursements (also known as expenses) and some disbursements are HST applicable while others are not. The disbursements that are HST applicable are itemized on the final account as are the disbursements that are not HST applicable.

I am hopeful that the above explanation provides clarity to all those who review our website.

Yours very truly,

Aaron Waxman and Associates

Per: Aaron Waxman