A personal injury lawyer provides legal services to individuals who have suffered physical or psychological harm due to the negligence of another person, company, or entity, operating primarily within the field of tort law. They handle a wide range of claims, including injuries from traffic collisions, slip-and-falls, defective products, and workplace incidents, though most of these cases are resolved without going to trial. To practice, lawyers must be qualified in their jurisdiction; while some may obtain optional certifications or further specialize in areas like medical malpractice, these are not mandatory. Before accepting a new client, personal injury lawyers carefully evaluate the case's strength and potential legal claims to ensure viability. A defining feature of their practice is working on a contingency fee basis, meaning the lawyer only receives a percentage of the client's financial recovery if the claim is successful, making legal representation accessible.