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Guide · New Jersey law · New Jersey

How injury lawyer fees work in New Jersey

Updated By Spencer, editorEvery fact cites a source

In a New Jersey injury case, a lawyer's contingent fee, a share of the recovery, is capped by court rule: 33⅓% of the first $750,000, stepping down to 20% on the amount up to $3,000,000. Above that, a court sets the fee. The fee is figured after case costs come out. Checked October 7, 2026.

Sources: R. 1:21-7(c), (d); R. 1:21-7(c)

The limits, band by band

The rule caps the fee on each band of the recovery, like tax brackets. Each lower rate applies only to the part of the recovery inside its band.

  1. First $750,000R. 1:21-7(c)33⅓%
  2. Next, up to $1,500,000R. 1:21-7(c)30%
  3. Next, up to $2,250,000R. 1:21-7(c)25%
  4. Next, up to $3,000,000R. 1:21-7(c)20%
  5. Above $3,000,000R. 1:21-7(c)Set by a court
Source: R. 1:21-7(c), (d); R. 1:21-7(c)

Figured after case costs

The capped fee is figured on the net sum recovered: what's left after case costs come out. Here's how that plays out on a settlement.

What would you take home?

Estimate what a client keeps from a settlement after New Jersey's capped contingency fee and case costs.

Open the take-home calculator
Settlement
$25,000
Case costs
−$1,500
Max fee, 33⅓% of $23,500
−$7,833
Estimated take-home
$15,667

Estimate only, before medical liens. Fee cap from New Jersey Court Rule 1:21-7. Firms may charge less.

Source: R. 1:21-7(c), (d); R. 1:21-7(c)

A child's case

A judge decides whether a child's injury settlement is fair and reasonable. If the case settles before a jury is seated, the lawyer's fee is capped at 25%.

Source: R. 4:44-3; R. 1:21-7(c)(6)

What local firms publish about fees

The rule sets the most a lawyer may charge. We checked whether local firms say on their website what they charge, and how they handle case costs.

None of the 23 Jersey City injury firms we checked publish their fee on their website.

5 of 23 explain who pays case costs.

See which firms, on the Jersey City transparency scorecard

From each firm's own website, checked October 11, 2026.

Questions to ask about the fee

  1. What percent do you charge?The court rule caps it. Ask what this lawyer's percent is.Source: R. 1:21-7(c), (d); R. 1:21-7(c)
  2. Which costs come out of the recovery?The capped fee is figured after costs. Ask which costs those are, and roughly what they come to.Source: R. 1:21-7(c), (d); R. 1:21-7(c)
  3. Who pays the costs if there's no recovery?Get the answer in writing, before you sign.
  4. Does the percent change if the case goes to trial?Ask, and get that in writing too.

Sources

  • R. 1:21-7(c), (d)New Jersey Court Rules, via State Rules (as amended September 1, 2024). Checked .
  • R. 1:21-7(c)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • R. 4:44-3New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked .
  • R. 1:21-7(c)(6)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked .

General information, not legal advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

Questions people ask

How much does a personal injury lawyer charge in New Jersey?

In an injury case, a lawyer's contingent fee, a share of the recovery, is capped by court rule at 33⅓% of the first $750,000, with lower caps above that, figured after case costs.

What is the maximum contingency fee in New Jersey?

In an injury case, 33⅓% of the first $750,000, 30% up to $1,500,000, 25% up to $2,250,000 and 20% up to $3,000,000. Above that, a court sets the fee.

Is the lawyer's fee taken before or after costs in New Jersey?

After. The capped fee is figured on the net sum recovered, after case costs come out.

What is the fee cap on a child's injury settlement in New Jersey?

If the case settles before a jury is seated, the fee is capped at 25%. A judge also decides whether the settlement is fair and reasonable.

What contingency fee do Jersey City injury lawyers charge?

Our Jersey City transparency scorecard counts which firms publish a percent on their website, and what it is. The same court-rule cap applies to every firm.

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