Tex. Civ. Practice & Remedies Code Section 42.001
Definitions

In this chapter:

(1)

“Claim” means a request, including a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, to recover monetary damages.

(2)

“Claimant” means a person making a claim.

(3)

“Defendant” means a person from whom a claimant seeks recovery on a claim, including a counterdefendant, cross-defendant, or third-party defendant.

(4)

“Governmental unit” means the state, a unit of state government, or a political subdivision of this state.

(5)

“Litigation costs” means money actually spent and obligations actually incurred that are directly related to the action in which a settlement offer is made. The term includes:

(A)

court costs;

(B)

reasonable deposition costs;

(C)

reasonable fees for not more than two testifying expert witnesses; and

(D)

reasonable attorney’s fees.

(6)

“Settlement offer” means an offer to settle or compromise a claim made in compliance with Section 42.003 (Making Settlement Offer).

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 204, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 203 (H.B. 274), Sec. 4.01, eff. September 1, 2011.