IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DIVISION ONE ERICA KELLY, ) No. 83042-2-I ) Respondent, ) ) v. ) ) CONSUELO ROSALES SOLANO, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION ) Appellant. ) )
VERELLEN, J. — Consuela Solano argues that the trial court incorrectly limited
her cost recovery under CR 68 to only those costs permitted under RCW 4.84.010,
the costs to the prevailing party statute. But because Solano provided no additional
statutory or contractual authority allowing recovery of attorney fees, expert witness
fees, or other litigation expenses, the court did not abuse its discretion.
We affirm.
FACTS
Between 2015 and 2016, Erica Kelly was in three different motor vehicle
accidents.
In December 2016, Kelly sued Milton Nguyen, Consuela Solano, and Joanne
Brothers for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress, alleging that
Nguyen, Solano, and Brothers were jointly and severally liable for her injuries. Kelly No. 83042-2-I/2
also sued Nguyen’s parents and Hugo Alvarez for negligent entrustment.1 Kelly and
Brothers settled.
On August 21, 2020, Solano and Alvarez served an offer of judgment to Kelly
for $15,000. That September, Solano and Alvarez served another offer of judgment
to Kelly for $25,000. Kelly did not accept either offer. Kelly voluntarily dismissed her
claim against Alvarez.
After trial, the jury awarded Kelly $67,200 in damages and apportioned 80
percent to Nguyen and his parents and 20 percent to Solano. Solano submitted a
cost bill under CR 68, arguing that she was entitled to all costs she incurred after she
submitted the first offer of judgment. Specifically, Solano requested reimbursement
for court filing fees, process service fees, interpreter fees, legal messenger fees,
copying fees, court reporter fees, deposition transcript fees, expert witness fees, and
attorney fees.
The court found that Solano was only entitled to recover costs under
RCW 4.84.010.2 The court entered judgment against Solano for $13,340 and
awarded Solano $200 in statutory attorney fees and $154 for service of process fees.
Solano appeals. ANALYSIS
Solano argues that the trial court erred by limiting her cost recovery under
CR 68 to only those costs specified in RCW 4.84.010. We review a trial court’s
1 Nguyen’s parents and Alvarez owned the vehicles that Nguyen and Solano
were driving when the accidents occurred. 2 Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 126-49.
2 No. 83042-2-I/3
award of costs for an abuse of discretion.3 A trial court abuses its discretion when its
decision is based upon untenable grounds or reasons.4
Under CR 68, “if the judgment finally obtained by the offeree is not more
favorable than the offer,” CR 68 allows the prevailing party to recover costs as
provided in RCW 4.84.010.5
RCW 4.84.010, the costs to the prevailing party statute, generally allows the
prevailing party to recover costs limited to filing fees, service of process fees, service
of publication fees, some notary fees, statutory attorney and witness fees, and
reasonable costs of the transcription of depositions used at trial or arbitration
proceedings if they are introduced as evidence.6 In very limited situations, the
prevailing party may be entitled to a broader range of costs in addition to the costs
specified in RCW 4.84.010 if a specific statutory authority or contractual provision
authorizes an expanded cost recovery such as attorney fees, expert witness fees, or
other litigation expenses. For example, Washington courts have “found that the
prevailing party is entitled to more than statutory costs as provided for in
3 Bevan v. Meyers, 183 Wn. App. 177, 188, 334 P.3d 39 (2014).
4 Ethridge v. Hwang, 105 Wn. App. 447, 459, 20 P.3d 958 (2001).
5 Tippie v. Delisle, 55 Wn. App. 417, 421, 777 P.2d 1080 (1989) (“[W]hen
RCW 4.84.030 [the general statute entitling a prevailing party to costs] and CR 68 are read together, a defendant making an offer pursuant to CR 68 which is greater than the judgment finally obtained by the plaintiff, is entitled to costs and disbursements.”) 6 RCW 4.84.010(1)-(7); see, e.g., Estep v. Hamilton, 148 Wn. App. 246, 263,
201 P.3d 331 (2008) (“RCW 4.84.010 does not authorize expert witness fees in an award of costs to the prevailing party.”); see also Jordan v. Berkey, 26 Wn. App. 242, 245, 611 P.2d 1382 (1980).
3 No. 83042-2-I/4
RCW 4.84.010, in civil rights actions and under the model toxic control act.”7
Here, it is undisputed that Solano was the prevailing party under CR 68
and was entitled to recover costs from Kelly. And Solano did not provide any
statutory authority or contractual provision authorizing her to recover expanded
costs in the form of attorney fees, expert witness fees, or other litigation
expenses. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in limiting
Solano’s recovery to the costs specified in RCW 4.84.010.
Solano’s arguments advocating for this court to expand CR 68 are not
persuasive.
First, Solano argues that the trial court miscalculated her costs by relying
on this court’s decision in Sims v. KIRO Inc.,8 which, according to Solano,
misinterpreted our Supreme Court’s decision in Fiorito v. Goerig.9
Solano’s argument is based upon her faulty premise that Fiorito cannot control
the outcome here because that case was decided decades before CR 68 was
enacted. In interpreting our Supreme Court’s decision in Fiorito, this court in
Sims held that absent a specific statutory or contractual provision permitting
7 Am. Civil Liberties Union of Washington v. Blaine Sch. Dist. No. 503, 95 Wn.
App. 106, 116, 975 P.2d 536 (1999); see also Hume v. Am. Disposal Co., 124 Wn.2d 656, 674, 880 P.2d 988
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DIVISION ONE ERICA KELLY, ) No. 83042-2-I ) Respondent, ) ) v. ) ) CONSUELO ROSALES SOLANO, ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION ) Appellant. ) )
VERELLEN, J. — Consuela Solano argues that the trial court incorrectly limited
her cost recovery under CR 68 to only those costs permitted under RCW 4.84.010,
the costs to the prevailing party statute. But because Solano provided no additional
statutory or contractual authority allowing recovery of attorney fees, expert witness
fees, or other litigation expenses, the court did not abuse its discretion.
We affirm.
FACTS
Between 2015 and 2016, Erica Kelly was in three different motor vehicle
accidents.
In December 2016, Kelly sued Milton Nguyen, Consuela Solano, and Joanne
Brothers for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress, alleging that
Nguyen, Solano, and Brothers were jointly and severally liable for her injuries. Kelly No. 83042-2-I/2
also sued Nguyen’s parents and Hugo Alvarez for negligent entrustment.1 Kelly and
Brothers settled.
On August 21, 2020, Solano and Alvarez served an offer of judgment to Kelly
for $15,000. That September, Solano and Alvarez served another offer of judgment
to Kelly for $25,000. Kelly did not accept either offer. Kelly voluntarily dismissed her
claim against Alvarez.
After trial, the jury awarded Kelly $67,200 in damages and apportioned 80
percent to Nguyen and his parents and 20 percent to Solano. Solano submitted a
cost bill under CR 68, arguing that she was entitled to all costs she incurred after she
submitted the first offer of judgment. Specifically, Solano requested reimbursement
for court filing fees, process service fees, interpreter fees, legal messenger fees,
copying fees, court reporter fees, deposition transcript fees, expert witness fees, and
attorney fees.
The court found that Solano was only entitled to recover costs under
RCW 4.84.010.2 The court entered judgment against Solano for $13,340 and
awarded Solano $200 in statutory attorney fees and $154 for service of process fees.
Solano appeals. ANALYSIS
Solano argues that the trial court erred by limiting her cost recovery under
CR 68 to only those costs specified in RCW 4.84.010. We review a trial court’s
1 Nguyen’s parents and Alvarez owned the vehicles that Nguyen and Solano
were driving when the accidents occurred. 2 Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 126-49.
2 No. 83042-2-I/3
award of costs for an abuse of discretion.3 A trial court abuses its discretion when its
decision is based upon untenable grounds or reasons.4
Under CR 68, “if the judgment finally obtained by the offeree is not more
favorable than the offer,” CR 68 allows the prevailing party to recover costs as
provided in RCW 4.84.010.5
RCW 4.84.010, the costs to the prevailing party statute, generally allows the
prevailing party to recover costs limited to filing fees, service of process fees, service
of publication fees, some notary fees, statutory attorney and witness fees, and
reasonable costs of the transcription of depositions used at trial or arbitration
proceedings if they are introduced as evidence.6 In very limited situations, the
prevailing party may be entitled to a broader range of costs in addition to the costs
specified in RCW 4.84.010 if a specific statutory authority or contractual provision
authorizes an expanded cost recovery such as attorney fees, expert witness fees, or
other litigation expenses. For example, Washington courts have “found that the
prevailing party is entitled to more than statutory costs as provided for in
3 Bevan v. Meyers, 183 Wn. App. 177, 188, 334 P.3d 39 (2014).
4 Ethridge v. Hwang, 105 Wn. App. 447, 459, 20 P.3d 958 (2001).
5 Tippie v. Delisle, 55 Wn. App. 417, 421, 777 P.2d 1080 (1989) (“[W]hen
RCW 4.84.030 [the general statute entitling a prevailing party to costs] and CR 68 are read together, a defendant making an offer pursuant to CR 68 which is greater than the judgment finally obtained by the plaintiff, is entitled to costs and disbursements.”) 6 RCW 4.84.010(1)-(7); see, e.g., Estep v. Hamilton, 148 Wn. App. 246, 263,
201 P.3d 331 (2008) (“RCW 4.84.010 does not authorize expert witness fees in an award of costs to the prevailing party.”); see also Jordan v. Berkey, 26 Wn. App. 242, 245, 611 P.2d 1382 (1980).
3 No. 83042-2-I/4
RCW 4.84.010, in civil rights actions and under the model toxic control act.”7
Here, it is undisputed that Solano was the prevailing party under CR 68
and was entitled to recover costs from Kelly. And Solano did not provide any
statutory authority or contractual provision authorizing her to recover expanded
costs in the form of attorney fees, expert witness fees, or other litigation
expenses. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in limiting
Solano’s recovery to the costs specified in RCW 4.84.010.
Solano’s arguments advocating for this court to expand CR 68 are not
persuasive.
First, Solano argues that the trial court miscalculated her costs by relying
on this court’s decision in Sims v. KIRO Inc.,8 which, according to Solano,
misinterpreted our Supreme Court’s decision in Fiorito v. Goerig.9
Solano’s argument is based upon her faulty premise that Fiorito cannot control
the outcome here because that case was decided decades before CR 68 was
enacted. In interpreting our Supreme Court’s decision in Fiorito, this court in
Sims held that absent a specific statutory or contractual provision permitting
7 Am. Civil Liberties Union of Washington v. Blaine Sch. Dist. No. 503, 95 Wn.
App. 106, 116, 975 P.2d 536 (1999); see also Hume v. Am. Disposal Co., 124 Wn.2d 656, 674, 880 P.2d 988 (1994) (noting that “[c]osts have historically been very narrowly defined, and RCW 4.84.010 limits cost recovery to a narrow range of expenses such as filing fees, witness fees, and service of process expenses. Civil rights cases stand as an exception to this rule because the Legislature has expressly authorized recovery of actual costs of the litigation, including expert witness fees, facsimile and copying expenses, costs of depositions, and other out-of-pocket expenses”) (citing Nordstrom, Inc. v. Tampourlos, 107 Wn.2d 735, 743, 733 P.2d 208 (1987)). 8 20 Wn. App. 229, 580 P.2d 642 (1978).
9 27 Wn.2d 615, 179 P.2d 316 (1947).
4 No. 83042-2-I/5
recovery of attorney fees, expert witness fees, or other litigation expenses as
costs to the prevailing party, the trial court does not “have authority to include
expenses in such an award beyond the statutory costs allowable under
RCW 4.84.030 [the general statute entitling a prevailing party to costs] and
4.84.080 [the statutory attorney fee provision].”10 We agree with the holding in
Sims.
Solano also argues that this court should “follow the guidance” of Johnson
v. Horizon Fisheries, LLC.11 In Johnson, the appellate court held that costs
under CR 41(d) are not limited to RCW 4.84.010.12 The court reasoned that
CR 41(d) does not explicitly limit recovery to RCW 4.84.010, the language of
CR 41(d) authorizes a more expansive cost recovery, and CR 41(d) applies only
before trial, so restricting costs to RCW 4.84.010 would substantially limit the
prevailing party’s recovery.13 But unlike CR 41(d), absent additional statutory or
contractual authority, case law explicitly limits cost recovery under CR 68 to costs
as defined in RCW 4.84.010, the language of CR 68 does not permit a more
expansive cost recovery, and CR 68 applies after trial. Johnson is inapposite.
Finally, Solano contends that CR 68 is “virtually identical” to the federal
rule and should be expanded to include costs in addition to those prescribed by
10 Sims, 20 Wn. App. at 238; see also Fiorito, 27 Wn.2d at 619.
11 Appellant’s Corrected Br. at 16-17 (citing Johnson v. Horizon Fisheries,
LLC, 148 Wn. App. 628, 201 P.3d 346 (2009)). 12 Johnson, 148 Wn. App. at 632-33.
13 Id. at 633-35.
5 No. 83042-2-I/6
RCW 4.84.010.14 In support of her argument, Solano cites to Marek v. Chesny.15
In Marek, the plaintiff filed a Civil Rights Act claim under section 1983 which
explicitly permits “the court, in its discretion [to] allow the prevailing party, other
than the United States” to recover reasonable attorney fees as costs.16 But here,
unlike Marek, there was no specific statutory or contractual provision permitting
an expanded cost recovery. Solano’s argument is not compelling. 17
WE CONCUR:
14 Appellant’s Corrected Br. at 21.
15 473 U.S. 1, 105 S. Ct. 3012, 87 L. Ed. 2d 1 (1985).
16 Id. at 2; see also Hume, 124 Wn.2d at 674.
17 Solano further argues that this court should expand the cost provision in
CR 68 for public policy reasons, namely, so that defendants are not discouraged from making offers of judgment. But because the language of CR 68 is plain on its face, and neither party argues that CR 68 is ambiguous, we need not consider Solano’s public policy argument. And as this court noted in Sims, “In the event that [CR 68] is to be expanded . . . it should be expanded by statute or by amendment.” Sims, 20 Wn. App. at 238.