How Much Will My Claim Cost?

By Ryan Bodnar lawyer at Merovitz Potechin LLP on Monday June 9, 2025

Probably the most common criticism of lawyers is that we simply cost too much. So, when a prospective client is contemplating suing someone, or where they have just been sued, I’m always asked with a lot of hesitation – how much is this going to cost to hire a lawyer for a claim?

Understanding Legal Fees for a Claim: Why the Cost Varies

You’re probably not going to like my answer, but the truth is that legal fees for a claim depend on several factors. Take a simple example; if you have a claim that requires a four-day trial, versus one that requires a two-day trial, while obviously the four-day trial is going to cost twice as much as the two-day trial. When people first walk into my office they want as much certainly as possible; however, it’s very difficult to predict early on how long a trial is going to take, or how many days of discovery there might be.

What About the Worst-Case Scenario?

Most people’s immediate response when I give them the above example is to ask about the worst-case cost scenario, and maybe that’s not a bad idea, but most people greatly underestimate how many claims actually settle before trial. The number we’re told as law students is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 90%-95% of all matters settle before trial. So, it’s not a bad idea to ask about the worst-case scenario, but for the vast majority of people, that will not be your reality and you may not incur full trial costs.

Talk to Your Lawyer About Costs Early

The most important thing for you to do is discuss costs with your lawyer at the start of your claim. Get an understanding of each step in the process and how much each step is likely to costs. Most of the time there will be a written retainer agreement that sets out how much you will be charged. It’s very important to read and understand the retainer agreement and ask questions early on about how you will be charged. 

Are There Ways to Reduce Legal Costs?

There are options available to you to try and reduce the cost of a claim. Some clients who don’t mind advocating for themselves can take advantage of a limited scope retainer where the client does some of the work, like attending a settlement conference on their own, while the lawyer drafts the documents. At Merovitz Potechin, we also do our best to match clients and their claims to lawyers with the right level of experience, so you’re getting a lawyer that adds value to the proceeding. 

Let’s Talk About Your Claim

If you’re considering a claim or have just been served, it’s important to understand what to expect, and what your options are. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you navigate your legal matter with clarity and transparency around cost.