In Nevada the personal injury lawyers generally take 1/3 of the "winnings" in the beginning. After there is a lawsuit or trial, the rate often goes up to 40% or 50%. The lawyer takes his percentage first, then all the experts and bills are paid, and then the Plaintiff gets anything left overt. The second biggest racket is the medical bills. Most folks have medical insurance or medicare/medicaid. The lawyers tell their clients not to use insurance. Rather, go to the doctors the lawyer recommends who will do the work on a lien (the doctor gets paid when the lawsuit is over). That way your epidural can cost $15,000 instead of $700 and the inflated medical bills help get an inflated settlement or verdict. Its a great money machine!