Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code - CIV PRAC & REM § 42.001. Definitions

(1) “Claim” means a request, including a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, to recover monetary damages.

(2) “Claimant” means a person making a claim.

(3) “Defendant” means a person from whom a claimant seeks recovery on a claim, including a counterdefendant, cross-defendant, or third-party defendant.

(4) “Governmental unit” means the state, a unit of state government, or a political subdivision of this state.

(5) “Litigation costs” means money actually spent and obligations actually incurred that are directly related to the action in which a settlement offer is made.  The term includes:

(6) “Settlement offer” means an offer to settle or compromise a claim made in compliance with Section 42.003.