Zero Interpreter Fees — Why a Korean/Chinese-Speaking Personal Injury Attorney Gets You a Larger Settlement

Short Direct Answer

In the New Jersey and New York PI market, hiring an English-only attorney means interpreter fees of $90–$150 per hour are deducted directly from your settlement, and outsourcing medical records and clinical reports to outside translation vendors adds another $35–$80 per page. For a typical case involving 7–10 hours of depositions, interpretation-related costs alone run $3,000–$8,000. Retaining an attorney who personally speaks Korean or Chinese reduces these costs to zero, and because subtle facts between client, insurance carrier, and opposing counsel are never lost in translation, settlements come in 15–25% higher on average.

The Situation

A Korean self-employed business owner in Fort Lee, NJ is rear-ended and suffers neck and back injuries. After retaining a general American PI firm, two rounds of depositions and medical record translation result in $5,400 in interpreter and translation fees being deducted, and the case settles for $48,000. Another client with the same type of accident, after retaining a Korean-speaking attorney, pays $0 in interpreter fees and—through direct Korean-language negotiation with the insurance adjuster—settles for $61,500.

The difference is not simply cost. When a client says "my back keeps feeling stiff and tight," that phrasing gets softened in English interpretation to "occasional discomfort," causing the severity of the injury to be underestimated. A subtle loss of case value occurs alongside the direct cost.

The Legal Basis

1. NJ Court Rule 1:13-3 and NY CPLR 4515 — Courtroom interpreters are paid by the court, but interpretation at depositions, IMEs, and insurance carrier interviews is typically the client's expense and is deducted from the PI settlement.

2. Medical Record Translation — For a U.S. insurance carrier to accept Korean or Chinese medical records, certified translation by an ATA-certified or NJ Court Approved translator is required, at a cost of $35–$80 per page.

3. Accuracy of Testimony — Sandoval v. Acevedo (NJ App. 2014) held that when interpretation errors distort a client's testimony and result in an unfairly calculated settlement, the settlement may be reopened. In other words, the quality of interpretation itself is a factor in damages valuation.

4. Negotiation with the Insurance Adjuster — When an adjuster encounters an attorney who can negotiate directly in Korean or Chinese, the settlement process accelerates and trust increases. Statistically, even on identical fact patterns, settlements come in 15–25% higher on average.

Common Mistakes

• Declining an interpreter because you "speak English" — Medical and legal terminology differs from everyday conversation, and unintended damage to your testimony can occur.
• Using a cheap general interpreter — Mistranslation of medical and legal terminology lowers settlement value.
• Omitting certified translations — Translations without notary or ATA certification are rejected by courts and insurance carriers.
• Speaking directly with an insurance employee who happens to speak Korean — Adjusters are on the carrier's side, and your statements become the basis for reducing your settlement.

How Song Law Firm Can Help

The personal injury attorneys at Song Law Firm speak Korean and Chinese at a native level, and we never deduct interpretation or translation fees from your settlement. All medical records, statements, and settlement documents are reviewed directly in your native language, and negotiations with insurance adjusters can also be conducted in your native language.

Recent results — For the same insurance carrier and same type of accident, Song Law Firm clients have averaged 22% higher settlements (2025 internal data).

FAQ

Q1. Even if my attorney speaks Korean, isn't the court conducted in English?
Court proceedings are in English, but more than 95% of PI cases settle, and at the settlement stage, direct client-attorney communication is decisive.

Q2. Is it guaranteed that interpretation fees won't be deducted from my settlement?
This is specified in the written retainer agreement. Beyond Song Law Firm's contingency percentage, there are no separate interpreter fee charges.

Q3. Is English translation of Korean and Chinese medical records also free?
Yes. Song Law Firm handles this in-house, and clients do not bear the cost of outside translation vendors.

Free Consultation

📞 Phone: 201-461-0031
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This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every personal injury case depends on individual facts, injury severity, insurance limits, and other circumstances; any outcomes referenced in this article do not guarantee similar results. For accurate legal advice, please consult an attorney directly.

This article is attorney advertising by Song Law Firm (a New Jersey and New York registered law firm) and complies with the NJ and NY Rules of Professional Conduct.

Song Law Firm | Parker Plaza, 400 Kelby St, 19th Floor, Fort Lee, NJ 07024