Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer in Calgary
Almost every Calgary personal injury lawyer works on contingency, so the real comparison is not whether you pay up front but what percentage, what disbursements you carry, and how much trial experience sits behind the file.
- Typical cost
- Contingency fees typically 25% – 40% of recovery
- Regulator
- Law Society of Alberta
- Jurisdiction
- Calgary, Alberta
What Alberta actually requires
Two-year limitation period
Alberta's Limitations Act gives you two years from the date you knew of the injury to file a claim. Miss it and the claim is gone regardless of merit.
Minor Injury Regulation cap
Alberta caps non-pecuniary damages for sprains, strains and whiplash without serious impairment. The cap is indexed annually, so confirm the current figure for your accident year.
Section B benefits
Your own auto policy covers treatment and income replacement regardless of fault. Notice deadlines are short — often 10 days to report and 30 days to file the proof of claim.
Contingency agreements must be in writing
Alberta requires a written contingency agreement stating the percentage and how disbursements and GST are handled.
How to choose your lawyer
- 01
See a doctor and keep every record — treatment gaps are the first thing insurers attack.
- 02
Report the accident to your own insurer promptly to protect Section B benefits.
- 03
Interview two or three firms and compare percentage, disbursement handling and who carries the file day to day.
- 04
Ask how many Calgary trials the firm ran in the past three years, not just settlements.
- 05
Get the fee agreement reviewed before you sign — the percentage is negotiable.
Common questions
What percentage do Calgary injury lawyers take?
Most contingency agreements sit between 25% and 40% of the recovery, often on a sliding scale that rises if the matter goes to trial.
Do I pay anything if I lose?
Fees usually only apply on recovery, but disbursements and adverse costs can still be your responsibility. Ask precisely who carries those risks.
How long does an Alberta injury claim take?
Straightforward soft-tissue claims often resolve in 12–24 months. Serious injury files typically take two to four years because the medical picture must stabilise first.
This guide is general information for Alberta, not legal advice. Fees and deadlines change — confirm details with a licensed lawyer in your jurisdiction.