When you're hurt at sea, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether you can afford a lawyer. The good news is that you don't need money up front to hire a maritime attorney. Most maritime lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they advance costs related to your case and only get reimbursed and paid a fee out of your recovery, if you win. If your case doesn't result in a settlement or verdict in your favor, you owe nothing for attorneys' fees or costs advanced by your lawyer. Contingency fees allow passengers and crewmembers to hire high-quality, experienced specialized maritime lawyers, which evens the playing field between you and the multi-billion dollar cruise lines that have their own specialized legal counsel.

At Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., we handle maritime cases on a contingency fee basis because we believe that financial hardship should never stand between an injured person and the best and most experienced legal representation available. Founded more than 50 years ago, our firm has recovered well over $500 million for clients and has 19 full-time attorneys across 7 offices nationwide. You don't need to write a check to get started.

How a Contingency Fee Agreement Works

A contingency fee agreement is a contract between you and your attorney that outlines how legal fees will be handled. Under this arrangement, your lawyer takes a percentage of the compensation you recover at the end of the case, not before.

What This Means for You

For most people injured in maritime accidents, this structure is the only realistic way to pursue a claim. Litigation involving cruise lines, shipping companies, or vessel operators can be expensive. Maritime defendants often have teams of attorneys and significant resources on their side. A contingency fee arrangement levels the playing field, giving you access to skilled legal representation without taking on any financial risk. Your attorney has a direct incentive to fight for the best possible outcome because they receive a percentage of the amount they have recovered for you. So, their fee depends on the amount of your recovery. The more money that the attorney is able to recover for you, the higher their fee, which incentivizes the contingency fee attorney to do their best to recover as much money as possible for you.

What Costs Are Typically Covered

When you hire a maritime attorney on contingency, the firm generally advances the costs necessary to build and litigate your case. The following are common expenses that a firm may cover on your behalf during the case:

• Court filing fees

• Expert witness and medical expert fees

• Deposition and transcript costs

• Investigation and evidence gathering

• Travel costs related to case preparation

These advanced costs are typically reimbursed from your recovery at the conclusion of the case, not billed to you out of pocket upfront. Your attorney should walk you through the specifics of your agreement before you sign anything.

Why This Matters in Maritime Law

Maritime law is a highly specific area of law that requires attorneys who understand the unique legal frameworks governing injuries at sea. General personal injury attorneys who are not experienced or specialized in maritime law claims are not equipped to handle cruise ship accident claims, Jones Act cases, or boating accident claims the same way a dedicated maritime firm can. The contingency fee model matters here because these cases often require significant time and resources to resolve properly.

Maritime defendants don't settle quickly or cheaply. Cruise lines have legal teams on retainer. Shipping companies have entire departments dedicated to claims management. Without an attorney who is willing to invest in your case financially and strategically, you may be left with far less than you deserve, or nothing at all.

Who Can Benefit From Contingency-Based Maritime Representation?

This contingency fee arrangement is available to a wide range of maritime accident victims. Whether you were injured as a passenger on a cruise ship, as a crew member covered under the seafarers' rights framework, or in a recreational boating accident, contingency representation means you can pursue compensation without needing savings or credit.

For those who have suffered serious injuries, the contingency model is especially important. Medical bills, lost wages, and recovery costs add up fast. Requiring you to also pay attorney fees before a resolution would make justice financially inaccessible. The contingency system exists to prevent that.

Get the Compensation You Deserve With Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A.

At Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., we have spent over 50 years fighting for people injured at sea, and we have never required our clients to pay us before we deliver results. Named to "Best Law Firms"® by US News & World Report and with Charles Lipcon and Jason R. Margulies recognized as "Lawyer of the Year"® in Admiralty and Maritime Law (Miami), our firm brings unmatched credentials to every case we take. Our attorneys have handled claims across the United States and around the world, and we are prepared to do the same for you.