SB 1207 - Offers of Compromise

• Allows plaintiffs in civil contract or money damage actions to file written settlement offers with the court between 180 days and 30 days before trial, with defendants having 30 days to accept the offer.

• For medical malpractice cases involving health care provider negligence, extends the earliest filing date for compromise offers to 365 days after service of process and provides a 60-day acceptance period instead of 30 days.

• Requires the court to add 8% annual interest to any judgment equal to or exceeding the plaintiff's compromise offer amount, with interest computed from the complaint filing date if the offer was filed within 18 months, or from the offer filing date if later.

• Allows courts to award reasonable attorney's fees up to $350 when a plaintiff recovers an amount equal to or greater than the compromise offer, unless a different fee agreement exists between parties.

• Effective October 1, 2011.