The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 226 concerning attorney’s fees authored by Sen. Gaskill. The bill amends the hourly rate and maximum award allowed to be ordered by the court in instances where a recipient does not accept a qualified settlement offer and the final judgment is less favorable to the recipient. The bill, as amended by consent of the committee, would increase the hourly rate from $100 to $250 per hour and increase the maximum award of attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses from $1,000 to $5,000.
The Indiana Trial Lawyers Association was neutral on the bill as amended. The Indiana Insurance Institute, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Manufacturers Association, and the Defense Trial Council all testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 9-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/226