§ 34-13-3-21 Attorney fees; allowance to governmental entity; action for abuse of process

Codes > Indiana Code > Title 34 > Article 13 : Chapter 3 > 34-13-3-21 Attorney

34-13-3-21 Attorney fees; allowance to governmental entity; action for abuse of process

    Sec. 21. In any action brought against a governmental entity in tort, the court may allow attorney's fees as part of the costs to the governmental entity prevailing as defendant, if the court finds that plaintiff:

    (1) brought the action on a claim that is frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless;

    (2) continued to litigate the action after plaintiff's claim clearly became frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless; or

    (3) litigated its action in bad faith.

    This award of fees does not prevent a governmental entity from bringing an action against the plaintiff for abuse of process arising in whole or in part on the same facts, but the defendant may not recover such attorney's fees twice.