Money Math
Contingency Calculator
Calculate attorney fees and the plaintiff's net recovery under a contingency fee arrangement.
This is an estimate for settlement discussion purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not account for all possible factors.
How it works
The number that matters to a plaintiff is not the settlement figure — it's the check. This calculator does the math: enter the settlement amount, the contingency fee percentage, and litigation costs, and it shows the attorney's fee, the costs, and the plaintiff's net recovery. You can set the percentage with the slider or enter a precise number in the text box.
The fee is calculated as a percentage of the gross settlement, with costs deducted separately — the most common structure. Everything is itemized so the client can see exactly where each dollar goes.
If only part of the settlement is subject to the fee, check "Part of the settlement is not covered by the contingency" and enter that amount. The percentage is applied only to the covered portion; the excluded portion passes through to the plaintiff undiminished, and the breakdown shows exactly what the fee was computed on.
Worked example
A $250,000 settlement with a 33.333% fee produces an attorney's fee of $83,332.50. Subtract $10,000 in litigation costs and the plaintiff nets $156,667.50 — almost $95,000 less than the headline number. Having that figure on screen before the final demand avoids the worst moment in any mediation: the client learning their net for the first time after agreeing.
Now suppose only $150,000 of that $250,000 settlement is covered by the contingency. Check the box, enter $100,000 as the amount not covered, and the fee drops to $49,999.50 — 33.333% of $150,000 — leaving the plaintiff $190,000.50 after the same $10,000 in costs.
When to use it
Use it in every mediation involving a contingency-fee plaintiff — early, not at the end. Clients evaluate offers by their net, and showing the arithmetic at the start of the day prevents disappointment and misunderstanding.
Frequently asked questions
How are contingency fees calculated?
Usually as a percentage of the gross recovery, with litigation costs reimbursed separately. Whether the percentage applies before or after costs are deducted depends on the fee agreement — this calculator uses the gross-fee structure, which is the most common.
What is a typical contingency fee percentage?
Arrangements vary widely by case type, jurisdiction, and stage — there is no single “correct” percentage, which is why this tool doesn't default to one. Common arrangements often step up if a case goes to trial. Check the actual fee agreement.
Are litigation costs the same as attorney's fees?
No. Fees compensate the lawyer's work; costs are out-of-pocket expenses — filing fees, depositions, experts, records. In most contingency arrangements costs are charged in addition to the fee, which is why they're entered separately here.
What if only part of the settlement is covered by the contingency fee?
Some settlements include a component the fee agreement doesn't reach — an amount recovered under a separate arrangement, or one the parties agreed carries no fee. Check "Part of the settlement is not covered by the contingency" and enter that amount: the percentage is applied only to the covered remainder, while the excluded portion still flows to the plaintiff in full. If the excluded portion has its own, different percentage, run it through the calculator separately and add the two fees together.