The Cost to Hire a Consumer Protection Lawyer

Last Updated on March 16, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Most companies follow the law and enter into fair contracts with their customers, but some choose not to. When a professional engages in fraud or unfair business practices, they can cause great losses to consumers. Maybe you bought a product that doesn’t work as stated in the usage instructions, or maybe you’re being harassed about a debt, or you’ve paid hidden fees. If you consider that you have been wronged by a professional, a consumer protection lawyer ensures that your rights are protected.

A consumer protection lawyer can handle both individual and class actions in an effort to get professionals to be honest and to ensure fair treatment for consumers. When you buy a product, you have certain rights as a consumer. Among the most important rights you have are the right to benefit from a purchased product that works as advertised and the right to be safe when using the purchased product.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Consumer Protection Lawyer?

If you need to solve a consumer law problem, most probably you will have to hire a lawyer, but this comes at a cost. Most people wonder if they can afford a consumer protection lawyer or how much money will have to pay for their services. These questions are legitimate, especially if you are on a tight budget.

But the good news is that in most situations you will not have to pay anything from your pocket for a consumer protection lawyer. For instance, in most cases, attorneys are able to use laws that require the other to support the legal expenses. Your case and situation will be reviewed during the initial consultation which can be free based on the lawyer you pick, in order to see if your issues can be solved without you having to pay a cent.

Though, if you will be responsible for the legal expenses, you should be prepared to spend anywhere between $270 and $400 per hour for hiring a lawyer, depending on his experience, the amount of work, your geographical location, and others.

What should I ask when hiring a consumer protection lawyer?

In most situations, the victims of consumer protection abuse have never hired a lawyer to solve their cases. Usually, they are worried about the process of hiring a “good” lawyer or about the questions to ask. That’s why you will find below some of the questions you should ask when hiring a consumer protection lawyer.

You might also like our articles on the fee of a criminal defense lawyer, a child support lawyer, or the cost of a prenup.

What to expect when interviewing a consumer lawyer?

During your first consultation, you should have a list of questions that the lawyer should go through to make you understand how they can help you with your case. In fact, most lawyer offices will have a list of different topics to be covered and questions to be answered throughout the first consultation, so you know exactly how everything will go.

During that first meeting, the lawyer may ask you to gather extra documents and/or information about your case. But you don’t have to worry about this, because this is a normal stage in resolving your issue. Most consumer protection cases are based on information and documents, and gathering all of these will certainly help you.

So here’s what you should ask the lawyer during the initial interview stage:

Have you represented consumers with my specific legal issues?

Consumers are obviously protected by a wide range of laws. Some lawyers handle only a very short range of consumer protection problems, while others take a large variety of issues. It is highly recommended to ask your lawyer whether they have experience in handling your distinctive type of case. You can also ask if they handled cases against your particular company/lender that has treated you badly.

Do you handle consumer law cases?

The laws regarding consumer protection can be difficult and complex. Ask whether your lawyer had dealt with consumer rights cases in the past and see how much experience they have in this field.

My case is special and I am unable to find a lawyer. What should I do?

Some consumers may have a case that some layers would call “unusual” or “weird”. So, they lose any hope that a lawyer can help with their case. But there are experienced attorneys that have actually handled a lot of “weird” consumer law cases. If you have an unusual case, it would be a good idea to contact as many lawyers as possible, as one of them will surely have worked in similar “weird” situations as yours.

Final thoughts

Every time you make a purchase, you do so believing that you will receive the product you paid for. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. It is very common for professionals to take advantage of consumers through fraud, deception, or other bad-faith practices. Consumers, victims of these practices, may suffer financial and/or serious damages. If you have reason to believe that you have been defrauded by a professional, it is essential to speak with a consumer protection lawyer about your situation.