After being hurt in an accident, the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer is often at the top of people’s minds. However, hiring Joe Stephens won’t cost you anything upfront. He works on a contingency fee basis, meaning he only gets paid if he wins your case or secures a settlement for you. This takes the financial burden off your shoulders and makes quality legal representation accessible to everyone.
Your first consultation with Joe is free and confidential, so you can get an honest evaluation of your case without any obligation. Contact Joe Stephens to schedule a free case review today.
Joe Stephens Works on Contingency: You Pay Nothing Upfront
A sudden injury can have a profound impact on your life, leading to medical expenses, missed work, and stress on the whole family. The last thing you want to worry about is how much it costs to hire a personal injury lawyer in Houston.
Working with Joe Stephens means you don’t have to add to the financial strain of your situation to get your case started. He operates on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs or hourly billing. Joe only gets paid when he secures compensation for your case, so his success is directly tied to yours.
What Is the Fee if My Case Settles?
If your case settles before going to trial, the standard fee is typically 33% of the total recovery. In simple terms, “settling” just means you and the other party, usually an insurance company, reach a deal on a payout without needing a judge or jury to decide the outcome.
Throughout the claims process, Joe also fronts all the case expenses, such as:
- Filing fees
- Expert witness costs
- Cost of gathering medical records
This way, you aren’t paying for the investigation out of pocket while trying to focus on your health. Once the settlement check arrives, those costs and the contingency fee are simply deducted from the total, and the rest goes to you.
What Is the Fee if My Case Goes to Trial?
If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer and your case progresses to trial, the contingency fee will most likely be around 40% of the total amount awarded.
While that may feel like a big step up from the settlement fee, there’s a good reason for it. Preparing for trial is an intensive process that requires much more time, resources, and expert testimony to prove your claim.
Joe doesn’t take going to trial lightly. He only makes that move when the insurance company is trying to pay less than you deserve. Standing your ground in court is often what it takes to push for a better outcome and ensure you’re truly being compensated for what you’ve been through.
What Happens if Joe Doesn’t Win Your Case?
If Joe doesn’t win your case, you don’t owe him anything. It’s as simple as that. There are no hidden legal fees, and you won’t be billed for any of the case expenses he fronted during the process. Since Joe takes on all the financial risk, you can focus on your recovery knowing that pursuing justice won’t leave you in a worse position than when you started—no matter what happens.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Joe Stephens is here to listen, guide you, and fight for the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Why Joe Stephens’ Fee Structure Is Worth It
With over 40 years of experience, Joe is one of only about 10 lawyers in all of Texas to hold a double board certification. That’s out of more than 110,000 lawyers. This level of experience and skill is why insurance companies take notice when he’s on the other side of a claim.
Unlike the larger firms where you might get shuffled off to a junior associate, Joe personally handles every case from start to finish. You get his direct attention and a reputation that precedes him in the courtroom. Insurance adjusters know Joe by name and recognize that he’s willing to go to trial if they don’t play fair.
If your case does go to trial, Joe has handled and tried hundreds of cases for injury victims, securing the best possible case outcomes for his clients.
JOE STEPHENS | FOUNDER
“When somebody hires The Stephens Law Firm, you’re not just hiring a lawyer, you’re hiring a strategic advantage. We limit the number of cases that we take… so we can focus exclusively on a small number of cases. I’m the guy that handles it from start to finish. I supervise every detail about your case. Your case might be worth 10 times what it might be with one of the big advertising firms on TV.”
How Joe Stephens Approaches Every Personal Injury Case
When you work with Joe, you aren’t just another file on a massive stack. He intentionally limits the number of cases he takes so he can focus exclusively on each client’s story and recovery. From day one, Joe treats your case as if it’s heading all the way to a jury.
By preparing every claim for trial readiness, he sends a clear message to the insurance companies to pay a fair amount now, or see him in court. This approach is what gives him the upper hand during negotiations.
Because Joe is a no-win-no-fee personal injury lawyer, he only succeeds if you do. Whether you were hurt in a Houston car accident or a workplace slip and fall, he understands that your recovery is what matters most, and he’s fully committed to fighting for justice.
What About the Consultation… Is That Free Too?
Yes, a consultation with Joe is completely free. There’s no cost and absolutely no obligation to move forward if you don’t feel it’s the right fit. Joe offers this because he knows how overwhelming things feel after an accident, and the last thing you need is another financial hurdle just to get answers.
During that initial consultation, Joe will listen to what happened, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your options. Even if you’re unsure if you have a case or if you’re worried it’s too small, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s always better to know where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joe Stephens’ Fees
Does Joe Stephens Charge an Hourly Rate?
No, Joe Stephens does not charge an hourly rate. He works on a contingency fee basis, so he only gets paid if he recovers money for you. You will never receive a bill for his time while your case is active. How much Joe Stephens charges as a contingency fee will depend on if your case settles out of court or needs to go to trial.
Are Case Expenses Included in the Firm’s Contingency Fee?
Most case expenses, including filing fees and expert witnesses, are included in the contingency fee, but Joe fronts all these costs for you. These expenses are paid from the final settlement or award only if you win.
Why Is the Fee Higher if the Case Goes to Trial?
The fee is higher for trial because the amount of work, preparation, and firm resources required to go to court increases significantly. This extra effort is what allows Joe to push for a maximum recovery when insurance companies aren’t being fair.
Can I Afford a Good Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston?
Yes. Because Joe Stephens handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you do not have to pay upfront attorney’s fees to get started. Instead, his fee is paid from the compensation he recovers for you, according to the terms of your written fee agreement.
How Do I Know if My Case Is Worth Pursuing?
To know if your case is worth pursuing, consider taking advantage of Joe’s free consultation. He will review the details of your accident and give you an honest, professional opinion on how to move forward.
Get a Free Consultation With Joe Stephens Today
Getting the help you need shouldn’t be another source of stress. You can reach out to Joe Stephens today for a free consultation with zero upfront cost and no obligation to hire him. It’s a risk-free way to get the clarity you deserve after an accident.
When you call, Joe personally reviews every case. He takes the time to evaluate your situation, discuss your legal options, and walk you through what you can expect. Call (281) 201-0035 or contact us online to schedule your free case review.
