Case Cost Estimator

A simple state-court contract case can run $10,000-$50,000 through trial. Mid-size commercial disputes commonly cost $50,000-$250,000. Complex commercial, IP, or medical malpractice cases routinely exceed $500,000-$2,000,000. The biggest drivers are discovery, depositions, and expert witnesses.

Attorney fees usually top the list (60-80% of the total). Other major costs include expert witnesses ($300-$1,000/hour, often $10,000-$50,000+ per expert), depositions ($1,500-$5,000 each with transcripts), e-discovery and document review, court reporters, mediators, and trial exhibits.

Set a budget at intake, ask for monthly fee forecasts, use phased discovery, consider early mediation, agree on document-review protocols, and limit the number of depositions. Alternative fee arrangements (capped fees, success bonuses) can also align incentives.

When expected litigation cost plus the probability-weighted trial outcome is worse than the settlement offer. If you have a 60% chance of winning $100,000 but expect $40,000 in additional fees, your expected net is $20,000 - so any offer above $20,000 generally beats trying the case.