Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

It is typical for the attorney to charge certain costs to the client, assuming the fee agreement allows. Medical records copying is typically an acceptaable charge to the client. The other expenses you need to find out from the attorney what they are for.

The "Administrative Fee" is often used by attorneys to cover miscellaneous "liquid" costs that can't be line-itemized, like faxing, copying, etcetera. Our office has a similar fee, but it's only $50, not $500. Most of the time that a court is involved (like with reviewing the settlement of a minor) the judge will strike out an "Admin Fee" as high as that, because it goes beyond "liquid costs" and into the area of the attorney's basic office overhead--in other words, it's just a way of padding the bill.

Most retainer agreements state, 1/3 plus costs.

Good luck.