Posted November 5, 2026 - by Law Offices of J.Chrisp
Founding Attorney
California’s settlement-offer rules tie costs to what happens at trial. If a defendant’s formal offer under Code of Civil Procedure section 998 is not accepted and the plaintiff then fails to get a more favorable judgment, the plaintiff cannot recover postoffer costs and must pay the defendant’s costs from the time of the offer (Code of Civil Procedure section 998). If a plaintiff’s offer is not accepted and the defendant fails to get a more favorable judgment, the court may require the defendant to pay a reasonable sum for the plaintiff’s postoffer expert witness costs.
Any party may serve a written offer to allow judgment on stated terms at least 10 days before trial (Code of Civil Procedure section 998). If it is not accepted before trial or within 30 days after it is made, whichever comes first, it is deemed withdrawn and cannot be given in evidence.
Except where a statute says otherwise, the prevailing party in a lawsuit is entitled to recover its costs as a matter of right (Code of Civil Procedure section 1032).
Results shown on chrisplaw.com include a $2,350,000 jury verdict in a major head-on crash involving a sheriff. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Yes. An action must be brought to trial within five years after it is commenced against the defendant (Code of Civil Procedure section 583.310).
To talk about your case and what trial could mean for it, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information about California law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last updated November 2026.
Since founding his law firm in 2010, Jesse Chrisp has built a reputation as a dedicated personal injury trial attorney serving Northern California’s Bay Area.
He has represented thousands of injured clients and holds the record for the highest personal injury verdict in Lake County. Mr. Chrisp was selected to Northern California Rising Stars from 2013 to 2019, an honor awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys in the state.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who has been continuously recognized as a leader in personal injury law since starting his law firm in 2010.
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