How Lawyer Fees Really Work

No Fee Unless You Win

One of the biggest worries people have is: “How much will a disability lawyer cost me?” The good news: you pay nothing upfront.

Shawn Taylor, PLLC works on a contingency fee basis. That means:

• If you don’t win benefits → you pay nothing in attorney fees.

• If you do win → the fee comes only from your back pay (the lump sum of past-due benefits you’re owed).

• You never write a check out of your pocket. The government pays the lawyer directly.

This system exists so that people struggling financially can still get legal help.

How Fees Are Calculated

Attorney fees for Social Security Disability cases are set by federal law:

• Standard fee: 25% of your back pay

• Maximum cap: $9,200 (as of late 2024)

Examples:

• If your back pay is $10,000 → the lawyer fee is $2,500 (25%).

• If your back pay is $50,000 → 25% would be $12,500, but the cap limits it to $9,200.

⚠️ Important: The fee comes out of back pay only. Your monthly benefits going forward are 100% yours.

Who Pays and When

You don’t have to worry about paying the lawyer yourself. If you win:

• Social Security calculates the fee.

• They withhold it from your back pay.

• They send it directly to the lawyer.

If you don’t win, there is no fee at all—even if the lawyer worked on your case for months or years.

No Hidden Costs – Full Transparency

You might wonder: “Are there any costs if I hire a lawyer?”

• Attorney’s fee: The only fee is a percentage of your back pay, and it applies only if you win. No upfront fees. No hourly bills. Free consultations.

• How we handle costs: At Shawn Taylor, PLLC, if we spend money preparing your case, we’ll explain it to you clearly in advance. You’ll never face surprise charges.

• What you won’t pay for: We don’t bill you for phone calls, postage, or the work we do on your case. All of that is covered by the contingency fee.

Our goal is simple: you should feel confident that hiring us won’t put you in a worse financial spot. Instead, it should increase your chances of winning benefits.

Why This Fee Structure Helps You

The contingency fee system is designed to protect you. We only get paid if you win, which means our goals are the same as yours. You can trust that we’ll do everything we can to succeed with your case, and we’ll work to maximize your back pay within the rules. The more you receive, the more we receive—it’s a fair, win-win approach. And because Social Security has to approve every fee agreement, you can rest assured that there are strict limits in place to prevent unfair charges.

Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer because they’re worried about cost. Here’s the reality: it costs nothing to get started. We offer free consultations, you pay nothing upfront, and if we don’t win, you don’t owe us a fee at all. If we do win, the fee comes only from the back pay Social Security awards you—not from your ongoing monthly checks. In fact, statistics show that claimants with lawyers often have a much better chance of winning, especially at the hearing stage.

Our promise is simple: no pressure, no hidden fees, and no risk. We take on the complexity and stress of Social Security so you can focus on your health.