Section 998: Trial Court Properly Offset Defense CCP § 998 Costs Against Judgment Which Did Not Exceed The 998 Offer

Plaintiff Did Not Move To Tax Costs, Such That The Offset Was Proper.

            In Maximo v. Threatt, Case No. B301735 (2d Dist., Div. 7 Jan. 19, 2022) (unpublished), plaintiff won $22,260 in an automobile personal injury case, but it did not exceed the defense CCP § 998 offer.  The trial court entered judgment for the defense after offsetting $52,843.06 in section 998 cost-shifting items.  Plaintiff appealed, claiming the offset was wrong.  The appellate court affirmed.  The problem was that plaintiff never challenged the offset through filing a motion to tax costs, given that a trial court can enter judgment based on an unchallenged costs bill which is not timely challenged. 

Scroll to Top