Who John Morgan Is and What His Firm Does
John Morgan is a personal injury attorney based in Florida who founded the Morgan & Morgan law firm. The firm handles cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, and other personal injury claims. Morgan & Morgan operates multiple offices across Florida and has expanded to other states, making it one of the larger personal injury practices in the country.
The firm's primary focus is representing people who have been injured due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing. This means they work on cases where you believe another person or company caused your injury and you want to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
John Morgan himself is known for aggressive advertising and a visible public presence. However, when you hire the firm, you will typically work with one of many attorneys on staff rather than directly with Morgan. Understanding how the firm operates and what to expect if you contact them is important before deciding whether to reach out.
Key Takeaways
- Morgan & Morgan handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the firm takes a percentage of any settlement or judgment.
- The firm has offices in multiple states but is largest and most established in Florida, where John Morgan is based.
- You will likely work with an associate attorney rather than John Morgan himself, even though his name is on the firm.
- The firm advertises heavily and accepts a high volume of cases, so response times and individual attention may vary depending on your case type and location.
- Before contacting any law firm, you should understand what a personal injury claim involves and what documents you will need to gather.
How the Contingency Fee Structure Works
Morgan & Morgan, like most personal injury firms, works on a contingency fee arrangement. This means the firm does not charge you an upfront fee or hourly rate. Instead, the firm takes a percentage of whatever money you recover—either through a settlement with the other party's insurance company or through a court judgment.
The percentage varies depending on the type of case and how far it goes. If your case settles before trial, the fee is typically lower than if the case goes to trial and a judge or jury decides the outcome. You should ask about the specific percentage when you first speak with someone at the firm, because this percentage comes directly out of your recovery.
In addition to the attorney fee, you may be responsible for case costs—things like filing fees, informed witness fees, medical record retrieval, and investigation expenses. Some firms advance these costs and deduct them from your recovery; others ask you to pay them as they occur. Clarify this before you sign any agreement with the firm.
What Types of Cases the Firm Handles
Morgan & Morgan focuses on cases where someone else's carelessness or intentional action caused you harm. The most common case types are motor vehicle accidents (cars, trucks, motorcycles), premises liability (slip-and-fall, dog bites, unsafe property conditions), and wrongful death claims.
The firm also handles some medical malpractice and product liability cases, though these are more complex and the firm may be more selective about which ones it takes. Personal injury law requires proving that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injury as a result.
Not every injury case is one the firm will take. If liability is unclear—meaning it is hard to prove the other party was at fault—or if your damages are very small, the firm may decline the case because it would not be profitable to pursue. Understanding whether your situation fits the firm's practice area is a first step before contacting them.
How to Contact the Firm and What to Expect
You can reach Morgan & Morgan through their website, by phone, or by visiting one of their physical offices. The firm has a large intake department designed to handle many inquiries. When you first contact them, you will speak with an intake specialist or paralegal, not an attorney.
During this initial conversation, you will be asked basic questions about your injury, when it happened, who was involved, and whether you have already sought medical treatment. Have your accident report, insurance information, and medical records available if you have them. The intake person will determine whether your case fits the firm's criteria and whether they want to move forward.
If the firm decides to take your case, you will be assigned an attorney and asked to sign a retainer agreement that outlines the fee arrangement, what the firm will do, and what you are responsible for. Read this agreement carefully before signing. If you have questions about any part of it, ask before you commit.
What Happens After You Hire the Firm
Once you have signed a retainer agreement, the firm will begin investigating your claim. This typically involves obtaining your medical records, the accident report, photographs of the scene or damage, and witness statements. You will need to provide information about your injuries, treatment, and how the injury has affected your life and work.
The firm will then contact the at-fault party's insurance company and send a demand letter outlining your injuries, damages, and the amount you are seeking in compensation. The insurance company will respond with an offer, often lower than your demand. Negotiation follows, with the goal of reaching a settlement.
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. If settlement negotiations stall, the firm will decide whether to file a lawsuit and take the case to court. This decision depends on the strength of your case, the amount at stake, and the likelihood of winning at trial. You should discuss this decision with your attorney before it happens.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Before you sign with any law firm, including Morgan & Morgan, you should ask specific questions about how they will handle your case. Ask who your primary attorney will be and how often you can expect to hear from them. Ask about the fee percentage and whether case costs are advanced by the firm or paid by you.
Ask how long the firm expects your case to take and what the next steps are. Ask whether the firm has handled cases similar to yours and what the outcomes were. Ask what happens if you want to settle and the firm wants to continue negotiating, or vice versa—who makes the final decision.
Ask about communication: will your attorney call you with updates, or will you need to call them? What is the expected response time for phone calls and emails? These questions help you understand whether the firm's style matches what you need from a lawyer.
Alternatives to Consider
Morgan & Morgan is one option, but it is not the only one. Other personal injury firms in Florida and nationwide also work on contingency and handle similar cases. Some are smaller and may offer more personalized attention; others are larger and have more resources.
You can also consult with multiple firms before deciding. Most personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations, so you can speak with several lawyers and compare their approach, experience, and communication style. This comparison helps you make an informed choice rather than going with the first firm you contact.
If you decide not to hire a lawyer, you can pursue a claim on your own by contacting the at-fault party's insurance company directly. This is more difficult and time-consuming, but it is possible. Many people find that having an attorney increases their recovery enough to justify the fee, but this is not always the case for smaller claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I actually work with John Morgan if I hire his firm?
No. John Morgan is the founder and public face of the firm, but he does not personally handle most cases. You will be assigned to an associate attorney on staff. The size and complexity of your case may determine which attorney you get, but it will not be Morgan himself unless your case is unusually high-profile or high-value.
What if I am not satisfied with how the firm is handling my case?
You have the right to fire your attorney and hire someone else, but you may owe the first firm a portion of any recovery if they did significant work on the case. Check your retainer agreement for the specific terms. Some agreements allow you to leave without penalty if you do so early; others require you to pay the firm's fee on any settlement reached by the new attorney.
How long does a personal injury case usually take?
This varies widely. straightforward car accident cases with clear liability may settle in three to six months. More complex cases, medical malpractice claims, or cases that go to trial can take one to three years or longer. Your attorney should give you a realistic timeline based on the specifics of your case.
What if the insurance company offers a settlement I do not think is fair?
You and your attorney should discuss the offer together. Your attorney will advise you on whether the offer is reasonable given the strength of your case and what you might recover at trial. The final decision to accept or reject an offer is yours, but your attorney's input is valuable because they have handled many similar cases.
Do I need to go to court if I hire a personal injury lawyer?
Most cases settle without going to trial, so you may never see the inside of a courtroom. However, if settlement negotiations fail and your attorney believes you have a strong case, they may recommend filing a lawsuit. You can discuss this possibility upfront so there are no surprises later.