What trips people up most is that signing one does not guarantee a lawsuit will be filed right away, or at all. A retainer agreement is the written contract between a client and a lawyer that explains who the lawyer represents, what work the lawyer is being hired to do, and how the lawyer will be paid. In injury matters, it often sets a contingency fee, meaning the lawyer is paid from a settlement or verdict rather than upfront. It may also explain who covers litigation costs, how medical records are obtained, whether the representation includes trial or appeal, and how either side can end the relationship.

In practice, this document controls how money moves through a claim. After a burn, slip, or vehicle crash, the agreement may spell out the lawyer's percentage, case expenses, and how liens or unpaid medical bills are handled before the client receives funds. That can directly affect the amount of a final recovery.

In New York, personal injury contingency arrangements are regulated by court rules, including 22 N.Y.C.R.R. Part 691 and Part 603, depending on the department, and lawyers must generally provide a written letter of engagement or retainer under 22 N.Y.C.R.R. Part 1215. A careful read matters because deadlines, scope of representation, and authority to negotiate a settlement can shape the outcome of an injury claim long before any payment is made.