Heatec, Inc. v. R.W. Beckett Corp.

OPINION

BROWN, Judge.

¶ 1 The issue presented is whether funds paid to settle a product liability action are reimbursable costs under the provisions of Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”) section 12-684(A) (2003). 1 For the following reasons, we conclude the term “costs” has an established meaning under the law that does not include settlement payments.

BACKGROUND

¶2 The present action stems from a fire that occurred at an asphalt plant owned by Vulcan Materials Company (“Vulcan”). The fire originated in a booster heater, which contained an oil burner manufactured by Beckett and sold to Vulcan by…