Rule 2-308. Offer of settlement.

Except as provided in this rule, at any time more than ten (10) days before the trial begins, any party may serve upon any adverse party an offer to allow an appropriate judgment to be entered in the action in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the offer. A claimant may not make an offer of settlement under this rule until thirty (30) days after the filing of a responsive pleading by the party defending against that claim. If within ten (10) days after the service of the offer the adverse party serves written notice that the offer is accepted, either party may then file the offer and notice of acceptance together with proof of service thereof and thereupon such judgment may be entered as the court may direct. An offer not accepted shall be deemed withdrawn and evidence thereof is not admissible except in a proceeding to determine costs. If an offer of settlement made by a claimant is not accepted and the judgment finally obtained by the claimant is more favorable than the offer, the defending party must pay the claimant's costs, excluding attorney fees, including double the amount of costs incurred after the making of the offer. If an offer of settlement made by a defending party is not accepted and the judgment finally obtained by the claimant is not more favorable than the offer, the claimant shall pay the costs, excluding attorney fees, incurred by the defending party after the making of the offer and shall not recover costs incurred thereafter. The fact that an offer has been made but not accepted does not preclude a subsequent offer. When the liability of one party to another has been determined by verdict or order or judgment, but the amount or extent of the liability remains to be determined by further proceedings, any party may make an offer of settlement, which shall have the same effect as an offer made before trial if it is served within a reasonable time not less than ten (10) days prior to the commencement of hearings to determine the amount or extent of liability.