How Much Of A 25K Settlement Will I Get?

So, you’ve settled your case for $25,000 – nice! 

But now you’re wondering how much of that you actually get to keep. 

Totally fair question. The number you see in the agreement isn’t what ends up in your bank account. After attorney fees, case costs, medical bills, and a few other things get taken out, your slice of that pie can look a lot smaller.

In this quick post, we’ll break down how much of a 25k settlement you will get.

How Much Of A $25K Settlement Will I Get?

If you’re settling a personal injury case for $25K, you probably won’t walk away with the full amount. After your attorney’s fees, case costs, and medical bills are deducted, you’ll usually take home somewhere between $8,000 and $12,000.

The exact amount depends on the details of your case, which we’ll break down next.

To give you a quick example, let’s say your case wrapped up with a $25,000 settlement. Here’s how that might shake out:

• Attorney’s fees (33.3%) – $8,333
  
• Case costs – $1,000
  
• Medical bills – $6,500
  
• Your take-home amount – $9,167

So in this scenario, you’d end up with just over nine grand in your pocket. Still a good win, especially if your attorney can negotiate the medical bills down even more.

Also Read: Average Settlement for a Broken Leg Injury

Factors That Affect How Much You’ll Get 

Let’s take a look at all the expenses that get taken out of your $25,000 settlement so you know exactly where your money is going and how the process works:

#1 Attorney’s Fees

Your lawyer’s cut is the biggest expense. 

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That just means they don’t get paid unless you win or settle, and when you do, they take a percentage.

For most cases, that’s around 33.3% of the settlement. 

So, for a $25,000 payout, you’re looking at about $8,333 going to your attorney. 

If your case went to trial, that percentage might go up a little, but for most straightforward settlements, it stays around one-third.

It might sound like a lot, but remember your attorney probably fronted all the costs and put in the work to get you that settlement. You’re paying for experience, strategy, and negotiation skills.

Also Read: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Make Per Case?

#2 Case Costs And Expenses

Next up are the stuff that gets paid along the way to build your case. These are things like:

• Filing fees with the court
  
• Costs to pull your medical records
  
• Expert witness fees (if they brought one in)
  
• Postage, printing, and admin stuff

These are extras and aren’t part of your attorney’s fee. But your lawyer usually covers them upfront, then gets reimbursed from your settlement.

On average, in a $25,000 case, these costs can run from $500 to $2,000. 

It all depends on how complex the case was. If it stayed simple with just medical records and a demand letter, the costs would be lower. If there were depositions or expert reports, they’ll be higher.

#3 Medical Bills And Liens

This part can vary a lot from person to person. 

After an accident, chances are you had medical treatment like hospital visits, physical therapy, maybe chiropractic care. Those bills often need to be paid out of your settlement.

Sometimes your health insurance covers some or all of the treatment. In that case, they might want to be reimbursed. Other times, medical providers treat you on a lien, meaning they agree to wait for payment until your case settles.

Medical liens and bills can take a chunk of your settlement if they aren’t negotiated down. 

In smaller cases, this is one of the biggest reasons people take home less than they expect.

Also Read: Can A Personal Injury Settlement Be Garnished?

#4 Other Things That Can Affect Your Take-Home Amount

A few other things can also affect how much of a 25k settlement you will get. Some are common, some not so much, but it’s good to be aware:

• Pre-settlement loans – If you took out an advance against your settlement, that repayment comes out first.
  
• Unpaid child support – States can garnish part of your settlement if you owe back child support.
  
• Disputed bills – Sometimes a provider charges way more than expected. If that happens, your lawyer might fight it or hold funds until it’s resolved.

Also, if your case involved multiple parties, those details might affect how the money is divided. But in most straightforward injury cases, attorney fees, costs, and medical bills are the main things to focus on.

Can You Negotiate Medical Bills Or Liens?

Yes and honestly, this is where a good attorney really earns their keep.

Once your case settles, your lawyer will often go back and negotiate with providers or lienholders. The goal is simple: reduce what you owe so you walk away with more in your pocket.

Sometimes doctors are willing to lower their bills if they know the settlement was small. Insurance companies like Medicaid or private insurers may also accept less than the full amount. It all depends on the situation, but there’s almost always room to talk.

You can try negotiating on your own, but attorneys usually handle it better because they know the system, and they’ve got relationships with the people involved.

Bottom Line

You will get around $8,000 – $12,000 from your $25K settlement after the attorney’s fees, case expenses, and medical bills are deducted.

And that’s ok since the goal is always to make sure you come out ahead, especially after everything you’ve been through.

If you work with a solid attorney who explains things clearly and helps negotiate where it counts, you can walk away knowing you kept as much as possible.