Latest Update (as of September 8, 2026): The dementia and cognitive-decline front of gabapentin litigation, opened when Sokolove Law began accepting cases on June 4, 2026, remains in the early-investigation stage. As of this check, no nationwide MDL or class action has been established for gabapentin dementia claims, and multiple law firms actively reviewing these cases confirm that status has not changed since early summer. Cases continue to be filed and investigated individually while attorneys build out the evidentiary record tied to the 2025 study linking frequent gabapentin use to higher dementia and mild cognitive impairment risk. The off-label marketing, addiction, and respiratory-failure claims described below remain the more established litigation tracks.
Last updated: September 2026
Latest Update (as of July 15, 2026): A significant new front has opened in gabapentin litigation, separate from the off-label marketing and addiction claims covered below: dementia and cognitive decline. On June 4, 2026, national firm Sokolove Law announced it is now accepting cases from patients diagnosed with dementia or significant cognitive decline after extended gabapentin use, pointing to a 2025 study that found frequent users faced a notably higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. As of June 2026, no nationwide MDL or class action has been established for these dementia claims, and cases are still being filed individually while attorneys build evidence.
Last updated: July 2026
The gabapentin lawsuit 2026 is one of the most active pharmaceutical legal battles unfolding this year. Patients who suffered serious harm from gabapentin, including dependency, respiratory failure, or were prescribed it for conditions the drug was never FDA-approved to treat, may be eligible to file a claim right now.
Thousands of cases are active across the country. Some are part of larger consolidated litigation. Others are individual personal injury claims moving through state courts.
This article covers who qualifies, what the potential payout looks like, when deadlines hit, and exactly how to get into the process. It also explains the legal history of this drug and why 2026 is a particularly important year for these cases.
One fact that surprises most people: Pfizer’s predecessor company already paid $430 million in criminal and civil fines back in 2004 for illegally marketing gabapentin off-label. That history is still being used in today’s lawsuits.
Gabapentin Lawsuit 2026: What’s Happening Right Now
Gabapentin lawsuits in 2026 are active in multiple federal and state courts across the United States. The litigation covers two main areas: harm caused by off-label prescribing and physical injury from side effects the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose.
The drug, sold under the brand name Neurontin and dozens of generics, was originally approved for epilepsy and post-herpetic neuralgia. Over decades, it was pushed on doctors for pain, anxiety, fibromyalgia, migraines, and more. None of those were FDA-approved uses.
That off-label promotion history is central to current claims. Courts are now examining whether patients were harmed because they received a drug for conditions it was never properly tested for.
| Lawsuit Category | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Off-label marketing claims | Active in multiple jurisdictions |
| Failure to warn claims | Ongoing, strong evidentiary base |
| Addiction and dependence claims | Growing docket, newer filings |
| Respiratory depression death claims | Active, wrongful death suits |
| Personal injury claims | Open, individual state court filings |
New filings are being accepted in 2026. The window is open, but it is not permanent.
Join Gabapentin Lawsuit: Your Options in 2026
You can join a gabapentin lawsuit in 2026 through two main routes: as part of a mass tort action or as an individual personal injury claimant. Understanding the difference matters because the path affects your payout timeline and total compensation.
A mass tort is not the same as a class action. In a class action, everyone shares one settlement divided among all plaintiffs. In a mass tort, each person has their own case evaluated on individual damages. That typically means higher individual payouts for people with serious documented injuries.
Most gabapentin cases in 2026 are being handled as mass torts rather than a single class action. That is good news for people with severe harm documented in medical records.
To get into the lawsuit, you typically work with a plaintiff’s attorney who handles the filing on your behalf. Most take these cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and they collect a percentage only if you win or settle.
Key steps to join:
- Contact a mass tort attorney or law firm handling gabapentin cases
- Provide your prescription history and medical records
- Complete an intake questionnaire about your specific harm
- Sign a retainer agreement to formally enter the litigation
Key Takeaway: Joining the gabapentin lawsuit in 2026 is free upfront. Most attorneys handle these cases on contingency.
Gabapentin Class Action Lawsuit 2026: Is There an Active Class?
There is no single nationwide gabapentin class action lawsuit in 2026. The litigation is organized primarily as mass tort claims and multidistrict litigation (MDL), not a traditional opt-in class action. This is an important distinction that most websites get wrong.
MDL 1629, titled “In re Neurontin Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation,” was a major federal consolidation that handled off-label marketing claims years ago. That case produced billions in settlements. The current wave of lawsuits builds on that foundation but operates differently.
Today’s cases focus on personal injury, wrongful death from respiratory failure, and addiction claims that are being filed individually across multiple jurisdictions.
| Litigation Type | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Class Action | One shared settlement, divided among all plaintiffs |
| Mass Tort | Individual claims, individual payouts, consolidated for efficiency |
| MDL | Federal consolidation for pretrial efficiency, separate trials possible |
| Individual State Court | Filed in home state, follows state tort law |
Think of it like a airline crash lawsuit. You would not expect all 200 passengers to get the same amount. Each claim is evaluated separately based on injury severity, age, and financial loss.
If someone tells you there is a single class action check coming in the mail, that is misinformation. Your claim needs to be filed individually.
Who Qualifies for Gabapentin Lawsuit Claims in 2026
You may qualify for the gabapentin lawsuit if you took the drug and experienced documented harm that connects directly to its use. Qualification is not automatic. It depends on the type of harm, your medical history, and the timeline of your prescription.
The strongest claims in 2026 involve people who were prescribed gabapentin for off-label conditions and then suffered serious physical or psychological harm. People who were never warned about dependency risks are also strong candidates.
General qualification criteria include:
- Prescribed gabapentin (brand name Neurontin or any generic)
- Used it for an off-label condition such as fibromyalgia, anxiety, migraine, or bipolar disorder
- Experienced documented side effects: dependence, respiratory problems, suicidal ideation, or death
- Were not properly informed of the risks by prescribing physicians or drug labeling
- Have medical records, pharmacy records, or prescription documentation to support the claim
Wrongful death claims qualify if a family member died while using gabapentin, particularly from respiratory depression. Those cases typically carry the highest potential settlements.
Gabapentin Lawsuit Eligibility Requirements: The Details That Matter
The eligibility requirements for the gabapentin lawsuit in 2026 go beyond simply having taken the drug. Courts and attorneys look at several specific factors to determine whether your case has real legal merit.
Medical documentation is the foundation. You need records showing you were prescribed gabapentin, what condition it was prescribed for, how long you took it, and what harm you suffered during or after use.
Timing also matters. Most claims require the harm to have occurred within the applicable statute of limitations window. Some states give you 2 years from the date of injury discovery. Others give you 3. A few have longer windows for pharmaceutical cases.
| Eligibility Factor | What’s Required |
|---|---|
| Prescription evidence | Pharmacy records, medical chart notes |
| Diagnosis for off-label use | Documented condition outside FDA-approved uses |
| Documented harm | Medical records showing injury or diagnosis change |
| Causal connection | Link between gabapentin and the harm |
| Filing window | Within your state’s statute of limitations |
| Representation | Attorney filing on your behalf (strongly recommended) |
You do not need to have a prescription for an off-label condition to qualify. Some people were prescribed gabapentin for approved uses but were still harmed by undisclosed risks, particularly dependency and withdrawal. Those claims are valid too.
Gabapentin Side Effects Lawsuit: Which Harms Are Being Litigated
The gabapentin side effects driving litigation in 2026 fall into several categories, and knowing which ones courts are actively pursuing helps you understand the strength of your potential claim.
The most serious side effects being litigated include respiratory depression, physical dependence, severe withdrawal, suicidal ideation, and cognitive impairment. These are not minor complaints. These are life-altering or fatal outcomes that plaintiffs allege were not properly disclosed.
Respiratory depression is particularly significant in wrongful death cases. Studies have shown gabapentin combined with opioids significantly increases the risk of fatal respiratory events. Families who lost loved ones to this combination are filing wrongful death suits in growing numbers.
Side effects currently at the center of active lawsuits:
- Physical dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms
- Respiratory depression, especially when combined with opioids
- Suicidal ideation and completed suicide
- Cognitive impairment and memory loss
- Overdose death, particularly in combination drug use
- Aggravated substance use disorder in recovering addicts
The FDA updated gabapentin’s warning label in 2019 to include respiratory depression risks. The argument in many current cases is that this warning came too late and that the manufacturer knew the risks far earlier.
Key Takeaway: The strongest gabapentin side effect claims involve respiratory depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation, especially where the FDA warning came after the harm occurred.
Gabapentin Off-Label Marketing Lawsuit: The Pfizer History That Matters
The gabapentin off-label marketing lawsuit has deep roots. In 2004, Pfizer’s subsidiary Warner-Lambert pleaded guilty to criminal charges and paid $430 million for promoting Neurontin for unapproved uses. That case is not ancient history. It is the foundation for many active claims today.
Off-label marketing means a company promotes a drug to doctors for conditions the FDA never approved it for. Neurontin was aggressively pushed for bipolar disorder, pain management, and migraine prevention, none of which had FDA approval at the time.
The playbook was aggressive. Sales reps provided doctors with meals, gifts, and financial payments in exchange for prescribing Neurontin at high volumes for off-label conditions. Patients who received those prescriptions often had no idea the drug had not been properly studied for their condition.
Current lawsuits in 2026 argue that this marketing pattern continued with generic gabapentin manufacturers after Neurontin’s patent expired. Several generic makers are now defendants in active litigation.
| Year | Key Event |
|---|---|
| 1993 | FDA approves gabapentin (Neurontin) for epilepsy |
| Late 1990s | Aggressive off-label marketing campaign begins |
| 2004 | Warner-Lambert pleads guilty, pays $430 million |
| 2010 | MDL 1629 produces major settlements |
| 2019 | FDA adds respiratory depression warning to label |
| 2023-2025 | New wave of addiction and wrongful death claims filed |
| 2026 | Active litigation, open filing window |
Gabapentin Failure to Warn Lawsuit: The Core Legal Argument
Failure to warn is the central legal theory in most gabapentin lawsuits in 2026. This legal claim says the drug manufacturer knew about serious risks and did not tell patients or doctors clearly enough or quickly enough.
Under pharmaceutical product liability law, drug makers have a duty to warn. That duty applies to doctors (learned intermediaries) and, in some cases, directly to patients through labeling. When that duty is breached and harm results, a lawsuit becomes possible.
The argument in gabapentin cases is straightforward. The manufacturer had internal data showing risks of dependence and respiratory problems. They delayed updating warning labels. Patients got hurt in the gap between what the company knew and what it disclosed.
This is similar to what happened with opioid manufacturers. The core legal narrative, that profit was prioritized over patient safety, resonates with juries.
Elements required to prove failure to warn:
- The manufacturer knew or should have known of the risk
- The warning provided was inadequate or delayed
- A doctor or patient would have acted differently with proper warning
- The inadequate warning was a direct cause of the plaintiff’s harm
Courts have repeatedly found that internal company documents are critical evidence in these cases. If internal emails or studies show the manufacturer knew about risks years before label updates, that evidence is powerful.
Gabapentin Addiction Lawsuit: Who Is Filing and Why
Gabapentin addiction lawsuits are one of the fastest-growing categories in 2026. For years, gabapentin was considered a “safe” alternative to opioids. That narrative is now being challenged in courtrooms across the country.
Gabapentin does have abuse potential. It can produce euphoric effects, particularly when combined with other substances. People with histories of substance use disorder are especially vulnerable. Yet many were prescribed gabapentin by doctors who were told it was non-addictive.
That misinformation traces back to manufacturer marketing. Internal documents reviewed in prior litigation showed company representatives actively downplayed the addiction risk to physicians. Patients who became dependent on the drug, and who suffered painful, prolonged withdrawal, are now suing.
| Addiction Claim Type | Who Files |
|---|---|
| Physical dependence claims | Patients who could not stop without severe withdrawal |
| Prescribing error claims | Patients given gabapentin despite addiction history |
| Failure to disclose claims | Anyone not warned about abuse potential |
| Rehabilitation cost claims | Those who entered treatment for gabapentin use |
| Lost wages and career impact | Working adults whose addiction affected employment |
Several states now classify gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance because of documented abuse. Kentucky was among the first. Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia followed. That classification has legal weight in active lawsuits.
Key Takeaway: Gabapentin addiction lawsuits are a growing and legally strong category in 2026, supported by state-level scheduling decisions and internal manufacturer documents showing known risks.
Gabapentin Settlement Amount 2026: What to Realistically Expect
The gabapentin settlement amount in 2026 varies significantly based on the type of harm, severity of injury, and quality of documentation. There is no single fixed number. But looking at historical pharmaceutical settlements and current case trajectories gives realistic benchmarks.
Past gabapentin litigation has produced settlements ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars for serious injury cases. Wrongful death claims have settled for significantly more in some instances.
Think of it the way insurance claims work after a car accident. A fender bender gets you a few thousand. A severe crash with permanent injury gets you much more. The same logic applies here.
| Injury Category | Estimated Settlement Range |
|---|---|
| Mild documented side effects | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Moderate harm (dependency, hospitalization) | $50,000 to $150,000 |
| Severe injury (long-term disability) | $150,000 to $500,000 |
| Wrongful death (respiratory failure, overdose) | $500,000 to $2,000,000+ |
These are estimates based on comparable pharmaceutical tort settlements. Individual outcomes depend on your specific case, legal representation, and negotiation.
Class action style settlements in pharmaceutical cases have historically paid far less per person than mass tort individual claims. That is another reason the current mass tort structure benefits claimants.
Gabapentin Lawsuit Payout Per Person: Factors That Change Your Number
The gabapentin lawsuit payout per person is not a fixed amount, and understanding what affects your number helps you set realistic expectations and build the strongest possible claim.
Several key variables influence the final figure. Courts and defense attorneys look at medical record completeness, the severity and duration of harm, out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering documentation.
Factors that increase your payout:
- Long duration of gabapentin use while harm was occurring
- Prescription for a condition with no FDA approval (off-label use)
- Hospitalization or emergency room visits related to the drug
- Documented withdrawal treatment or addiction recovery costs
- Permanent disability or ongoing health consequences
- Wrongful death with dependents relying on the deceased
Factors that reduce your payout:
- Incomplete medical records
- Use of multiple substances that complicate causation
- Filing outside the statute of limitations window
- No documented connection between gabapentin and the harm
- Delay in seeking legal representation
The attorney you choose also matters. Law firms with deep experience in pharmaceutical mass tort litigation typically negotiate higher settlements than general practice attorneys. This is a specialized area.
Gabapentin Lawsuit Filing Deadline 2026: Do Not Miss This Window
The gabapentin lawsuit filing deadline in 2026 is one of the most time-sensitive factors for potential claimants. Missing your state’s statute of limitations means losing your legal right to file, permanently.
Statutes of limitations in pharmaceutical personal injury cases vary by state. Most range from 2 to 3 years from the date you discovered the harm, not necessarily the date you took the drug. This discovery rule is important because many people did not connect their health problems to gabapentin until years after stopping use.
| State | Standard SOL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2 years | Discovery rule applies |
| Texas | 2 years | From date of injury or discovery |
| Florida | 2 years (updated 2023) | Previous limit was 4 years |
| New York | 3 years | Pharmaceuticals follow personal injury SOL |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | Discovery rule applies |
| Illinois | 2 years | Strict enforcement |
| Ohio | 2 years | Product liability specific |
If you are unsure when your clock started, an attorney can analyze your situation. The discovery rule has helped many people file claims they thought were time-barred.
Important: Recent FDA label updates in 2023 and 2025 have helped some claimants argue their discovery date is more recent, giving them a fresh filing window. This is worth discussing with legal counsel.
Key Takeaway: Gabapentin lawsuit filing deadlines in 2026 are real and state-specific. Missing your window means losing your claim entirely, so acting sooner is always better than waiting.
How to File Gabapentin Lawsuit Claim: Step-by-Step Process
Filing a gabapentin lawsuit claim in 2026 follows a clear process. You do not need to know the law to get started. You need to know the steps and gather the right documents.
The process begins with finding an attorney who handles pharmaceutical mass tort cases. Not all personal injury attorneys have the experience to navigate drug litigation. The attorneys handling gabapentin cases know how to build causation evidence and negotiate with pharmaceutical defense teams.
Step-by-step process:
- Gather your prescription records from your pharmacy going back to when you first took gabapentin
- Pull your medical records covering the period of use and any documented harm
- Write down your timeline of symptoms, hospitalizations, and when you connected harm to the drug
- Contact a mass tort law firm that lists gabapentin or pharmaceutical cases among their practice areas
- Complete the intake form honestly and thoroughly, this determines case viability
- Sign a contingency fee agreement so you pay nothing unless you win
- Cooperate with your attorney during discovery, which may include depositions and medical evaluations
- Wait for settlement negotiations or trial based on how the litigation progresses
Most cases settle before trial. The timeline from filing to settlement can range from 12 months to 3 years depending on the complexity and jurisdiction.
Gabapentin Lawsuit Evidence Needed: What to Collect Now
The gabapentin lawsuit evidence needed to support your claim falls into three main categories: medical documentation, prescription history, and harm documentation. Stronger evidence means a more viable case and a better settlement position.
Start collecting documents immediately. Do not wait for an attorney to request them. Having everything organized when you make first contact with a law firm speeds the intake process and shows you are a serious claimant.
Medical documentation to collect:
- Doctor’s notes and office visit records from when gabapentin was prescribed
- Records of any diagnoses linked to the harm (withdrawal, respiratory issues, addiction)
- Emergency room or hospital records related to gabapentin use
- Mental health treatment records if suicidal ideation was a documented effect
Prescription evidence to collect:
- Pharmacy printouts showing drug name, dosage, prescribing doctor, and dates
- Insurance explanation of benefits (EOB) showing gabapentin claims
- Any written communications from your doctor about the drug
Financial harm evidence:
- Receipts for out-of-pocket drug costs or treatment costs
- Pay stubs or employer documentation showing missed work
- Rehabilitation or addiction treatment invoices
The more documentation you have, the more leverage your attorney has during settlement negotiations.
Gabapentin FDA Warning Lawsuit: How Regulatory History Supports Your Claim
The gabapentin FDA warning history is a powerful piece of evidence in 2026 lawsuits. It shows a documented gap between when risks were known and when patients were actually warned.
Gabapentin’s original FDA approval in 1993 came with limited warning language. Over the years, advocates, researchers, and whistleblowers pushed for stronger disclosures. The FDA did not add a respiratory depression warning until December 2019, more than 26 years after approval.
That 26-year gap is significant in courtrooms. Plaintiffs argue the manufacturer had evidence of respiratory risks long before 2019. Internal documents from prior litigation support that argument.
In 2023, the FDA issued additional safety communications about gabapentin misuse and abuse potential. In 2025, supplemental label updates addressed drug interaction risks more explicitly. Each update strengthens cases from plaintiffs harmed before those disclosures were made.
| FDA Action | Year | What It Means for Lawsuits |
|---|---|---|
| Original approval, limited warnings | 1993 | Baseline for failure to warn claims |
| Off-label marketing criminal case | 2004 | Establishes manufacturer misconduct history |
| Respiratory depression warning added | 2019 | Key date: harm before this is strongest claim |
| Abuse and misuse safety communication | 2023 | Supports addiction claims |
| Drug interaction label update | 2025 | Fresh discovery date for some claimants |
The pattern of delayed warnings, each forced by public pressure or regulatory action rather than voluntary disclosure, is exactly the type of history that moves juries.
Gabapentin Personal Injury Lawsuit: Individual Claims vs. Mass Tort
A gabapentin personal injury lawsuit is an individual claim for specific harm you personally suffered. This is different from joining a mass group action, though the two are not mutually exclusive in how cases are organized.
Personal injury claims for gabapentin harm are filed under state tort law. They allege the manufacturer was negligent, that they failed their duty of care, and that their product caused specific, documentable harm to you as an individual.
These claims are often consolidated at the federal level for pretrial management but remain individual for the purpose of damages calculation. That means your settlement or jury award reflects your unique situation.
Types of personal injury claims in gabapentin litigation:
- Negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care in drug design and marketing)
- Product liability (defective product due to inadequate warnings)
- Fraud (misrepresenting the drug’s safety profile to doctors and patients)
- Wrongful death (when gabapentin use contributed to a family member’s death)
Personal injury plaintiffs have the benefit of pursuing full compensatory damages: medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases punitive damages. Punitive damages, which are meant to punish wrongdoing rather than just compensate the victim, have been awarded in pharmaceutical cases with strong evidence of deliberate misconduct.
Key Takeaway: Gabapentin personal injury lawsuits allow for individual damage calculations, which typically produce higher payouts than shared class action settlements.
Gabapentin Lawsuit Statute of Limitations: Your Legal Clock Is Running
The gabapentin lawsuit statute of limitations determines how long you legally have to file a claim. When that clock runs out, no amount of documented harm will get you into court. The window closes permanently.
Most states apply a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury pharmaceutical claims. A few states allow 3 years. The clock typically starts from the date you discovered the harm or reasonably should have discovered it, not the date you first took the drug.
This discovery rule is the lifeline for many potential claimants. Someone who stopped taking gabapentin in 2019 but only learned in 2024 that their health problems were linked to the drug may still be within their filing window depending on their state.
Discovery rule applies when:
- You did not know the drug caused your condition until a later date
- A doctor connected your symptoms to gabapentin after the fact
- You received news coverage or medical confirmation of the link recently
- FDA warning label updates made the connection clear for the first time
| Filing Scenario | Clock Start |
|---|---|
| Immediate injury after taking drug | Date of injury |
| Gradual harm discovered later | Date harm was discovered or linked to drug |
| Wrongful death | Date of death or date connection was confirmed |
| FDA label update triggered awareness | Date of update or date of awareness |
Do not assume your claim is too old without talking to an attorney first. The discovery rule has extended filing eligibility for many people who thought they missed their window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the gabapentin lawsuit about in 2026?
The gabapentin lawsuit in 2026 focuses on harm caused by off-label marketing, failure to warn patients about serious risks, and physical injuries including addiction and respiratory failure.
Pfizer’s predecessor already paid $430 million in 2004 for criminal off-label marketing conduct, and new cases build on that documented history.
Active litigation in 2026 covers personal injury, wrongful death, and addiction claims in multiple state and federal courts.
Who qualifies to join the gabapentin class action lawsuit in 2026?
People who were prescribed gabapentin for off-label conditions and suffered documented harm are the strongest candidates for filing in 2026.
Qualifying injuries include physical dependence, severe withdrawal, respiratory failure, suicidal ideation, and death linked to gabapentin use.
Wrongful death claims from family members of those who died are also eligible and often carry the highest settlement potential.
How much money can I get from the gabapentin lawsuit settlement?
Settlement amounts vary widely based on injury severity, with mild documented harm typically ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 and wrongful death cases potentially exceeding $1,000,000.
Moderate injuries such as hospitalization or addiction treatment typically fall in the $50,000 to $150,000 range.
Your final amount depends on the quality of your documentation, your attorney’s negotiation skill, and the specific facts of your case.
What is the filing deadline for the gabapentin lawsuit in 2026?
Most states impose a 2-year statute of limitations for pharmaceutical personal injury claims, starting from the date you discovered your harm.
Some states allow 3 years, and recent FDA label updates in 2023 and 2025 have helped some claimants argue a more recent discovery date.
Acting in 2026 is time-sensitive. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the better your chances of filing within your legal window.
What evidence do I need to file a gabapentin lawsuit claim?
You need prescription records showing you took gabapentin, medical records documenting the harm you suffered, and financial records showing costs related to the injury.
Pharmacy printouts, doctor’s office visit notes, hospital records, and insurance explanation of benefits documents are all valuable.
The more documentation you can gather before your first attorney meeting, the stronger your initial case evaluation will be.
What You Should Do Right Now
The gabapentin lawsuit 2026 is at an active and time-sensitive point. Courts are accepting new claims. Attorneys are taking on fresh cases. And statutes of limitations are running in real time across every state.
If you took gabapentin and suffered harm, the most important thing you can do today is start gathering your records. Pharmacy printouts, doctor’s visit notes, hospital bills, and any documentation of the harm you experienced. Those records are your foundation.
Contact a mass tort attorney who handles pharmaceutical cases. The consultation costs you nothing. The contingency structure means you pay nothing unless your case wins or settles. The only cost of waiting is the risk that your legal window closes before you act.
