Monday, June 01

Magistrate Ngoni Nduna Says Chin'ono's Release A Danger To National Security

ACTIVIST journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, who is being charged with inciting public violence, has been denied bail for the third time, with Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna saying his release from remand prison could cause the unconstitutional removal of Zanu-PF from power.

Nduna ruled that the changed circumstances that Chin'ono submitted were not convincing as the submissions were the same as in the previous bail attempt.

The magistrate further ruled that it was illegal for the lower court to review its initial findings on the dismissal of the bail.

"Even if the court found it out that there are new circumstances, it is not a guarantee that this court will grant bail because there are other fears that have been submitted. The court took judicial notice that the coronavirus pandemic is dangerous as it was publicised since November 2019 and it is not correct to say prison conditions are part of the new circumstances," Nduna said.

"The court also agrees to the State's proposition that the accused person wants Zanu-PF to fall and the bail application on the changed circumstances is hereby dismissed."

The State, however, asked for the court to postpone the matter to September 1 for a possible furnishing of a trial date
Chin'ono's bail applications have been met with drama with the court barring renowned human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa from representing him saying she had scandalised the court by allegedly posting a Facebook message denigrating the court.

The investigative journalist was also barred from giving evidence in front of the media and public saying this would compromise prison security.

He had disclosed to Mtetwa that he was being abused inside prison, denied access to food from outside and was now living on biscuits.

Chin'ono was arrested on July 20 together with opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume and are both facing charges of incitement to participate in public violence.

After the dismissal of bail for the duo, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights executive director Roslyn Hanzi said they will soon sit down and re-strategise before approaching the courts.

She said the ban on Mtetwa to represent her client had no effect on her visiting the prison to consult Chin'ono, but the prison officials were denying her the right to consult her client.

  • Share:

Info News

Personal Injury Lawyer Cost: How Attorney Fees Work

rn

personal injury lawyer cost, personal injury attorney fees, contingency fee lawyer, accident lawyer cost, injury lawyer no upfront fee, lawyer fee percentage

rnrn

Personal Injury Lawyer Cost: How Attorney Fees Work

rnrn

Many injured people worry about hiring a lawyer because they are already dealing with medical bills, missed work, and financial stress.

rnrn

The good news is that many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee.

rnrn

That usually means you do not pay attorney fees upfront. Instead, the lawyer receives a percentage of the settlement or court recovery if the case succeeds.

rnrn

Fee agreements vary, so always read the contract carefully.

rnrn

What Is a Contingency Fee?

rnrn

A contingency fee means the attorney’s payment depends on the outcome of the case.

rnrn

If there is no recovery, the lawyer may not collect an attorney fee. However, case costs may be handled differently depending on the agreement.

rnrn

The American Bar Association explains that in a contingency fee arrangement, the lawyer agrees to accept a fixed percentage of the recovery, and if the client loses, the lawyer generally does not receive a fee, though expenses may still be owed depending on the agreement.

rnrn

What Percentage Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?

rnrn

Percentages vary by lawyer, case type, and state rules. Many contingency fees are based on a percentage of the recovery.

rnrn

Some agreements may use different percentages depending on whether the case settles early, enters litigation, or goes to trial.

rnrn

Ask the lawyer to explain the fee clearly before signing.

rnrn

Attorney Fees vs. Case Costs

rnrn

Attorney fees are not always the same as case costs.

rnrn

Case costs may include:

rnrn

Court filing fees
rnMedical record fees
rnExpert witness fees
rnDeposition costs
rnInvestigation expenses
rnPostage
rnTrial exhibit costs
rnAccident reconstruction
rnCopying and records

rnrn

Ask whether costs are deducted before or after the attorney percentage is calculated.

rnrn

Questions to Ask About Fees

rnrn

Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, ask:

rnrn

What is your contingency fee percentage?
rnDoes the fee change if a lawsuit is filed?
rnWho pays case costs?
rnAre costs deducted before or after attorney fees?
rnWhat happens if we lose?
rnWill I receive a written fee agreement?
rnAre there any upfront costs?
rnHow are medical liens handled?
rnWill I approve settlement decisions?

rnrn

A good attorney should explain fees in plain language.

rnrn

Is Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Worth It?

rnrn

A lawyer may be worth considering when:

rnrn

Injuries are serious
rnLiability is disputed
rnInsurance offers are low
rnMedical bills are high
rnFuture treatment is needed
rnYou missed work
rnThere are multiple parties
rnYou are being blamed
rnThe case may require expert witnesses

rnrn

A lawyer cannot guarantee more money, but legal representation may help protect your rights and avoid mistakes.

rnrn

Do All Personal Injury Cases Need a Lawyer?

rnrn

Not always.

rnrn

A minor accident with no injuries and simple property damage may not require an attorney.

rnrn

But if you have injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, or long-term symptoms, a consultation may be useful.

rnrn

Be Careful With Quick Settlements

rnrn

A quick settlement may not include:

rnrn

Future medical treatment
rnLost earning capacity
rnLong-term pain
rnMedical liens
rnSpecialist care
rnSurgery risks
rnPermanent impairment

rnrn

Once you sign a release, you may not be able to ask for more money later.

rnrn

How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer

rnrn

You can begin by checking state or local bar referral services. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that state bar websites generally have resources for the public looking for an attorney, and each legal case may require a lawyer suited to that specific problem.

rnrn

You can also ask:

rnrn

Friends or family
rnLocal bar association
rnTrusted attorneys in other fields
rnLegal aid resources
rnProfessional legal directories

rnrn

Final Thoughts

rnrn

Personal injury lawyer cost is usually based on a contingency fee, but every fee agreement is different.

rnrn

Before hiring a lawyer, ask about percentages, costs, deductions, liens, and what happens if there is no recovery.

rnrn

A clear fee agreement protects both you and the attorney.

rn
rn

Online Education Platforms

    rn
  1. Advancing Your Career
    rn Online education has transformed how people gain new skills and advance their careers. With access to flexible courses and certifications, individuals can learn at their own pace while balancing work and personal commitments. This accessibility has made education more widely available than ever before.
  2. rn
rnrn

Choosing the right program is crucial for achieving career goals. Courses aligned with high-demand industries can lead to better job opportunities and professional growth. Continuous learning is now an essential part of staying competitive in today’s workforce.

rnrn

 

rn