Frequently Asked Questions

Will I owe anything if we don't win the case?

We take all of our cases on a “contingency” basis.  If we fail to effect a recovery for you, there is not attorney’s fee owed or incurred.  You might be responsible for reimbursement of any out of pocket expenses or costs only. 

How does Tillman & Associates make money off a case?

Legal fees are based on a percentage of the total amount of money we are able to recover on your behalf. In Workers’ Compensation cases, this is determined by state law and is 25% of the benefit we recover for you in the case. All lawyers in the state of Georgia who practice in the area of Workers’ Compensation must adhere to the same fee rate.

In the area of Social Security Disability, the attorney’s fee is also determined by law.  If a Social Security case is successful and the client obtains benefits, the first check, called “back due benefits” goes back to the date of disability in most cases.  The fee is 25% of all “back due” benefits, not to exceed $6,000. 

In the area of personal injury, the contingency fee percentage can vary depending on whether the case has to go into litigation or can be settled prior to litigation.

What is a mediation?

A mediation is a settlement conference that often occurs before a case goes to trial. It is voluntary on the part of all parties but is often an excellent way to resolve even very complex cases prior to trial without incurring further costs of litigation.  Both sides appear with legal representation before a neutral party known as a mediator, who is usually a retired judge or lawyer who has or does practice law in the subject area. If a settlement can be reached, the case is concluded and does not advance to trial.  Many cases are resolved in this manner.

How long can you estimate my case will last?

This really depends on how intricate the case is that we are dealing with and can vary widely from case to case. For example, the norm for a medical malpractice case is between one and two years from the day the complaint is first filed. On the other hand, premises liability/auto or general negligence cases can often reach resolution in four to eight months. There is no guarantee of this, however and it largely depends on the willingness of the parties to find a meaningful and realistic resolution of a case.  Workers’ Compensation cases vary widely depending on the seriousness of the injury at hand and the state of the ongoing medical treatment for the injury.