Thinking about starting a dental negligence claim but worried about costs? You are not alone. Many people wait until year end to review finances and decide whether to take action. This guide explains exactly how No Win
No Fee, known in law as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), works for dental cases. You will see what you could pay, what happens if you lose, how After The Event insurance fits in, and when private funding can be the
smarter choice. You will also find clear examples of what you might keep from a settlement at different compensation levels. No jargon, no surprises.
What a No Win No Fee agreement actually is
A CFA is a funding arrangement where you do not pay our legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. If you win, we charge a success fee taken from your compensation. The aim is simple, to let you pursue a good claim
without upfront legal bills. At Dental Law Claims, we agree the funding terms with you before any work begins, so you know exactly what to expect.
Key points:
No upfront legal fees in most accepted claims.
If the claim does not succeed, you do not pay our fees.
If it does succeed, we take a pre-agreed percentage of your damages as the success fee.
What percentage do No Win No Fee lawyers charge?
In dental negligence, a typical success fee is up to 25 percent of the final compensation. We commonly work on that basis. The exact figure can be lower and is agreed with you at the outset. There are no hidden extras.
Your agreement sets out the percentage in black and white before we proceed.
What is the catch with No Win No Fee?
There should not be a catch. The biggest fear we hear is that there will be unexpected bills later. With us, fees, likely disbursements, and any optional add ons are discussed and written into your agreement from the start.
You will also get a clear explanation of how costs recovery from the other side works if you win.
Be wary of:
Vague fee terms or unclear percentages.
No discussion of After The Event insurance.
Promises that sound too good to be true.
A proper CFA is transparent, proportionate, and only offered after a merits review.
What happens if I lose a No Win No Fee case?
If your case is unsuccessful, you do not pay our legal fees. You would usually have protection for the other side’s costs via an After The Event policy, provided one has been arranged. ATE insurance is designed to cover
adverse costs risks and certain disbursements. We will discuss insurance options with you at the start and explain what the policy does and does not cover. That conversation includes indicative premiums and when they
are payable.
Disbursements, ATE insurance and who pays for what
Disbursements are the external expenses needed to build your case. Typical items include:
Independent dental expert reports.
Medical records and imaging.
Court fees, if proceedings are issued.
Barrister’s fees, where appropriate.
When you win, the defendant’s insurer usually pays most of your legal costs and a large portion of reasonable disbursements. Any ATE premium can be payable from your damages, and we will set that out in advance so
there are no surprises. If you lose, ATE insurance can shield you from paying the other side’s costs and may cover certain disbursements, depending on the policy terms.
Is it worth using a No Win No Fee solicitor?
For many people, yes. A CFA avoids upfront fees and aligns the solicitor’s incentive with your outcome. It also makes it practical to fund the expert evidence that dental cases rely on. That said, a CFA is not right for every
situation. For example, where damages are likely to be modest but you prefer to keep 100 percent of any compensation, private funding can be discussed. We will set out the pros and cons for your case.
Signals a CFA may be worth it:
You have a strong case based on early expert input.
You want to avoid paying legal fees as you go.
You prefer predictable, pre-agreed terms.
Private funding, when it can be the better option
If your claim is very likely to succeed quickly, or where you want to retain the entire award, you may prefer to pay privately. With private funding you cover legal fees and disbursements as the case progresses, but you keep
all of the damages recovered. We will talk you through both routes so you can decide what best suits your priorities and budget.
What you might keep from a settlement, worked examples
Every case is different, but here are simple illustrations to show the effect of a 25 percent success fee and indicative ATE premiums. These are examples only, not quotes.
Example 1, settlement of £8,000
Defendant pays most legal costs. From your £8,000, success fee up to £2,000.
Example ATE premium, say £300 to £500.
You might keep around £5,500 to £5,700.
Example 2, settlement of £25,000
Success fee up to £6,250.
Example ATE premium, say £500 to £900.
You might keep around £17,850 to £18,250.
Example 3, settlement of £60,000
Success fee up to £15,000.
Example ATE premium, say £900 to £1,500.
You might keep around £43,500 to £44,100.
We will always provide tailored figures once we have assessed your case and discussed the right funding setup.
Can you make a No Win No Fee claim for dental negligence?
Yes. Dental negligence claims are well suited to CFAs because the core costs are expert driven and the defendant’s insurer often meets the bulk of legal costs on success. We act nationwide across England and Wales,
including complex implant, extraction, nerve injury and misdiagnosis cases. If you are in the capital and searching for a london dental negligence lawyer, we can help and will explain funding clearly from day one.
How the process works with Dental Law Claims
Free eligibility review: Start with our short questionnaire, then speak directly with specialist solicitor Alex Bodza for one to one advice on prospects, timelines and funding.
Early evidence: We request your dental records, imaging, and any relevant notes. Acting early helps preserve detail that can strengthen your case.
Expert reports: We instruct independent dental experts to assess breach of duty, causation, condition and prognosis.
Pre action and negotiation: We present your case to the defendant’s insurer and negotiate firmly to achieve the best outcome.
Litigation if needed: If court is required, we guide you through each step and manage counsel and trial preparation.
Throughout, you get regular updates and monthly file reviews so you always know where things stand.
Common myths, busted
There is always a sting in the tail: Not with a transparent CFA. Your agreement sets out percentages, likely disbursements and ATE arrangements before we start.
You will end up paying everything back: In successful claims, the defendant’s insurer generally pays the main legal costs. Your success fee is capped by agreement, commonly up to 25 percent, and discussed in
advance.
You cannot use No Win No Fee for dental cases: You can. Most of our accepted dental claims run under a CFA.
Ready to check your options?
If you are weighing up a claim as you plan your year end finances, now is a good moment to get clarity. Book a free eligibility review with Alex Bodza to understand your prospects, time limits, and the best funding route for
you. If you prefer to start in London and want to speak to a no win no fee solicitor london, that is available, or you can simply complete our online questionnaire for a fast, confidential review.
Summary
A No Win No Fee agreement can remove the stress of upfront legal costs and make a strong dental negligence claim achievable. Typical success fees are up to 25 percent of your damages, agreed with you at the start. If
you lose, you do not pay our fees, and ATE insurance can protect you against the other side’s costs. Disbursements are explained clearly so you know what is covered and when. In some situations, private funding helps
you keep 100 percent of your award, and we will talk you through that option too. The goal is simple, clear, and fair funding that supports the best possible outcome for you.
Take the first step today. Book your free eligibility review with Alex Bodza or get in touch to discuss your case and funding choices.
