Gross recovery is the total amount won — settlement or verdict. It's the headline number, but it's not what the client takes home.
Attorney fees are the firm's contingency. Most Nevada plaintiff firms (including ours) calculate fees as 33% of the recovery after costs are reimbursed, not 33% of gross. This protects the client when costs run high.
Costs are real out-of-pocket money the firm advanced to fund the case: filing fees, expert witnesses, depositions, medical records, reconstruction work. The firm pays these up front, then gets reimbursed from the recovery. If the case loses, the firm eats the costs.
Liens are claims by health insurers, Medicare, or others who paid for treatment. They have a right to be reimbursed from the settlement, but the amount is usually negotiable. Liens are paid off the top before the client sees their share.
Net to client is what the client actually walks away with. If you're surprised the client didn't get more, this breakdown is exactly why settlement conferences and lien negotiation matter.