How Much Of A 50K Settlement Will I Get?

So, you’ve been offered a $50,000 settlement. That’s awesome!

But before you start planning how to spend it, there’s something important to know- you’re not going to walk away with the full fifty grand.

That’s because there are some common deductions that come out first. It’s totally normal, but it helps to understand what’s going on behind the scenes.

In this post, we’ll break down how much of a $50K settlement you’ll get.

How Much Of A $50,000 Settlement Will I Get?

If you’re getting a $50,000 personal injury settlement, you can expect to take home somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000 after all the deductions. 

The exact amount you’ll get depends on your attorney’s fees, how much your case cost to build, and what kind of medical bills or liens need to be paid out of the settlement.

Let’s run through a quick example to show you what that might look like:

• Attorney’s fees (33.3%) – $16,650
  
• Case costs – $1,500
  
• Medical bills – $10,000
  
• Your take-home amount – $21,850

So in this case, you’d end up with just under $22,000 once everything’s paid. 

Not bad, and your final amount could be even higher if your attorney negotiates those medical bills down, which is pretty common.

Also Read: How Much Of A 25K Settlement Will I Get?

Deductions From Your $50k Settlement

Lets go over all the expenses that gets deducted from your settlement in detail next so you can see exactly where that money goes:

#1 Lawyer’s Fees

This is probably the biggest cut. 

Most personal injury lawyers work on what’s called a contingency fee, which just means they only get paid if you win. The standard rate is 33.3%, or one-third of your settlement if the case settles before trial.

So if you settle for $50,000, your lawyer’s cut would be about $16,650. 

If your case goes further (like into a lawsuit or trial) this fee might go up, usually to 40% or more. 

But most cases settle before trial, so that one-third number is pretty common.

It might sound like a big chunk, but remember, your attorney did all the heavy lifting to get that money in the first place.

#2 Case-Related Costs

This one’s a little less obvious, but still important. During the life of your case, your attorney probably had to spend money to keep things moving. 

That could mean paying for:

• Medical records
• Court filing fees
• Expert witnesses
• Postage
• Accident reconstruction

All those little charges add up. They’re usually paid upfront by your attorney, and then reimbursed from your settlement when it’s all done. This cost varies a lot, but in a simple case, you might see something like $500 to $2,000 in total case-related expenses.

It’s not fun watching that money go out the door, but without these steps, your case wouldn’t have gotten very far.

Also Read: How Do I Fix a Police Report if it is Wrong?

#3 Medical Liens And Bills

Medical bills can eat up a big part of a settlement too.

If you got treatment after your accident (like ambulance rides, ER visits, physical therapy, etc..) those bills may still be hanging around. Or maybe your health insurance covered things, but wants to be reimbursed.

Medical liens can come from:

• Hospitals and doctors
  
• Insurance companies
  
• Medicaid or Medicare (if they paid your bills upfront)

These can be negotiated down sometimes, but they still need to be paid.

Let’s say you owe $10,000 in medical bills. That gets pulled out next.

#4 Outstanding Debts Or Child Support (If Applicable)

This one doesn’t apply to everyone, but it’s a big deal if it applies to you. 

If you owe back child support or have government debt, some states will require that money to be taken from your settlement before you see a dime.

It’s not your attorney’s choice. It’s the law. They don’t want your money going elsewhere either, but they have to follow the rules.

The good news is that your attorney will let you know upfront if this is something that’s going to come up, so it won’t hit you out of nowhere.

Also Read: Can Child Support Be Taken from a Personal Injury Settlement?

Can You Negotiate Costs Or Keep More?

Yes, sometimes. There are a few places where you might be able to save a bit.

You can’t really haggle your lawyer’s fee after the fact if you already signed a contract. But what you can do is work with your lawyer to negotiate things like medical liens. 

A good lawyer will go to bat for you and try to reduce what you owe to hospitals or insurance companies.

Plus, some firms will waive certain smaller costs to help you keep more in your pocket. Not always, but it happens, especially in straightforward cases that didn’t drag out.

Ask all these questions from your lawyer. Don’t just accept a final number without understanding how they got there. You’re allowed to see an itemized breakdown. You’re allowed to ask if anything can be lowered. 

And sometimes, just asking makes a difference.

Bottom Line

A $50,000 settlement is a big win, but by the time lawyer’s fees, court costs, medical bills, and other debts are taken out, you might walk away with something more like $20,000 to $30,000, depending on your situation.

It’s still a nice chunk of change, and it’s way better than nothing. 

But it’s smart to know upfront that you’re not getting the full $50k.

Once all the dust settles and the math is done, what you have left is yours, and it’s tax-free in most injury cases, too. So, use it wisely. Pay down debt, save some, treat yourself a little. 

And now you’ve got a clear idea of what to expect, so there are no surprises.