If you have been injured in Seattle and you are hesitating to call a lawyer because you are worried about the cost — this page is for you.
The most common reason injured people do not seek legal representation is the belief that they cannot afford it. That belief is understandable, but for personal injury cases, it is almost always wrong. At Schauer Law Offices, you pay no upfront fee and no attorney fee whatsoever unless we recover compensation for you. The cost of hiring an experienced Seattle personal injury attorney is not what most people expect — and understanding how it works may change the way you think about your options.
Free consultation — no obligation: 206-420-7112
What “Affordable” Actually Means at Schauer Law Offices
The word “affordable” gets used loosely by a lot of law firms. Here is what it means in practice at Schauer Law Offices, PLLC:
- Your first call is free. You can speak directly with Seattle personal injury attorney Jason Schauer at no cost, with no obligation to hire the firm. Use that conversation to understand your rights and options before making any decision.
- There are no upfront fees. You do not need to write a check, put down a retainer, or pay anything to begin working with Schauer Law Offices on your personal injury case.
- Our fee comes from your recovery — not from your pocket. Schauer Law Offices works on a contingency fee basis. This means the attorney fee is a percentage of what we recover for you. If we do not recover anything, you do not owe an attorney fee.
- Discuss all fee terms in your free consultation. During your initial consultation, Jason will walk you through exactly how fees and case expenses are handled for your specific situation — so there are no surprises.
How the Contingency Fee Model Works
The contingency fee model was specifically designed to give everyday people access to experienced legal representation without requiring them to pay out of pocket while they are injured, out of work, and dealing with medical bills.
Here is how it works in straightforward terms:
- You hire Jason Schauer at no upfront cost. The engagement begins when you decide to move forward — no money changes hands at the start.
- Jason investigates your case and pursues compensation on your behalf — gathering evidence, consulting experts if needed, negotiating with insurance companies, and preparing for trial if necessary.
- If we reach a settlement or win a verdict, Jason’s fee is calculated as an agreed percentage of the amount recovered. That fee comes out of the recovery, not from you directly.
- If we do not recover compensation for you, you do not owe an attorney fee. The risk of losing is shared — which is why Jason only takes cases he believes in.
The specific percentage and how case expenses (such as court filing fees, expert witnesses, or medical record requests) are handled will be explained clearly during your free consultation. There should be no financial surprises in a well-run contingency arrangement — and at Schauer Law Offices, there are none.
Why Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Often Costs You Nothing Out of Pocket — and Pays for Itself
Here is the part most injured people do not know: represented injury victims typically recover significantly more than unrepresented ones, even after the attorney’s contingency fee is paid.
Insurance companies are experienced negotiators. Their adjusters handle claims every day, and their job is to minimize the payout on your claim. They know that unrepresented claimants often accept early, low settlements because they do not know the full value of their claim — or because they need money now and cannot wait.
When you have an attorney representing you, the dynamic changes. Insurance companies know that Jason Schauer prepares every case as if it will go to trial. They know he has 23 years of experience, Notre Dame Law School credentials, and a track record that includes verdicts and settlements up to $1.4 million. That posture consistently produces better outcomes — and the difference between a represented and unrepresented settlement frequently far exceeds the cost of the attorney’s fee.
In short: affordable does not just mean low-cost. It means you get more than you pay for.
What Has Schauer Law Offices Recovered for Seattle Injury Clients?
These are real results achieved for personal injury clients in Seattle and Western Washington:
- Dog mauling of three-year-old girl — $1,400,000
- Trip and fall — $675,000
- Woman severely injured by drunk driver — $500,000
- Trucking collision with major permanent injuries — $450,000
- Loss of sepulcher (unauthorized cremation) — $420,000
- Woman fell through trap door at commercial space — $320,000
- Dog bite case — $300,000
- Woman mauled by neighbor’s pit bull — $300,000
- Dog mauling; knee and other injuries — $285,000
- Sexual harassment case — $220,000
- Slip and fall against large hotel chain — $185,000
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every personal injury case is unique and the value of any claim depends on its specific facts and circumstances. Results shown represent the gross recovery before fees and costs.
Does “Affordable” Mean Lower Quality?
No — and this is worth addressing directly, because some people associate lower cost with lower quality.
At Schauer Law Offices, the contingency fee model does not reduce the quality of representation. It aligns our interests with yours — Jason only gets paid when you get paid, which means his incentive is always to maximize your recovery.
Jason Schauer graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2000 and earned his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Seattle University. He began his career at one of the most prestigious law firms in the Pacific Northwest and has more than 23 years of personal injury experience in Washington State courts. He is admitted to the Washington State Bar, the Federal District Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
He has earned more than 130 five-star reviews on Avvo and the Clients’ Choice Award for more than a decade consecutively — recognition based on real client feedback across hundreds of cases.
Affordable representation at Schauer Law Offices means the highest standard of legal work, at a cost structured so that everyone — not just people who can afford a large retainer — has access to it.
No Case Too Small — Every Injured Person Deserves Representation
Some injury victims hesitate to call a lawyer because they assume their case is not significant enough. That assumption is worth examining carefully with an attorney before drawing a conclusion.
The value of a personal injury claim is not always obvious at first — it depends on the full scope of medical treatment needed, the impact on your ability to work, the nature of the liable party’s negligence, and a range of other factors that only become clear through thorough investigation. Jason evaluates each case on its specific facts during your free consultation and provides an honest assessment of your legal options.
There is no cost to have that conversation. Call 206-420-7112.
Serving Seattle, King County, Pierce County, and Western Washington
Schauer Law Offices provides contingency-fee personal injury representation to clients throughout Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region — including King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Kitsap County, and communities across Western Washington. Distance within the service area is not a barrier to affordable, quality representation.
Se habla español. Consultations and representation available in Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fees and Costs
Do I have to pay anything if Schauer Law Offices does not win my case?
You do not owe an attorney fee if we do not recover compensation for you — that is the foundation of the contingency fee model. How other case costs and expenses (such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or medical record costs) are handled in a no-recovery scenario will be explained clearly during your free consultation and outlined in your written fee agreement. Jason will walk you through every aspect of the fee arrangement so you understand it fully before moving forward.
How much does a personal injury attorney cost in Seattle?
For contingency-fee personal injury cases at Schauer Law Offices, there is no upfront cost. The attorney fee is a percentage of the amount recovered, calculated at the conclusion of the case. The specific percentage depends on the nature of the case and the stage at which it resolves, and will be discussed and agreed upon during your free consultation.
Why does the insurance company’s offer seem fair — do I really need a lawyer?
Insurance adjusters are experienced negotiators whose goal is to close your claim for as little as possible. An early offer may seem reasonable but frequently undervalues the full extent of your damages — including future medical costs, long-term lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess the true value of your claim and negotiate from a position of legal knowledge and trial readiness that most unrepresented claimants cannot match.
What if I already accepted a settlement from the insurance company?
Once a settlement is signed, it is generally final and very difficult to reopen. This is one of the most important reasons to consult a personal injury attorney before accepting any offer or signing any release — even if the settlement appears reasonable. If you have not yet signed, call Schauer Law Offices at 206-420-7112 before you do.
How is Schauer Law Offices different from large personal injury firms in Seattle?
At Schauer Law Offices, Jason Schauer personally handles your case from start to finish. You will not be passed to a paralegal, a junior associate, or a case manager. As a solo practitioner with 23+ years of experience, Jason builds a direct relationship with every client and remains personally invested in the outcome of every case he takes.
Take the First Step — Free, No-Obligation Consultation
The cost of finding out whether you have a personal injury claim is zero. The cost of hiring Schauer Law Offices is zero unless we recover for you. The risk of not calling is leaving money — and justice — on the table.
Call 206-420-7112 today for your free, no-obligation consultation with Seattle personal injury attorney Jason Schauer. Or contact us online and we will reach out to schedule a time to speak.
Se habla español.
Schauer Law Offices, PLLC
Seattle, Washington
Phone: 206-420-7112
Fax: 206-402-4778