19 V.S.A. § 514: Award of costs in damages action; litigation expenses in inverse condemnation action

(a) If a damages award by a court is more than the Agency’s offer of just compensation or offer of judgment, whichever is greater, the court shall award the property owner his or her reasonable costs. If the damages award is less than or equal to the greater of the Agency’s offer of just compensation or offer of judgment, the court shall award the Agency its reasonable costs.

(b) If a court renders judgment in favor of a property owner in an inverse condemnation action or if the Agency effects a settlement of an inverse condemnation action, the court shall award the owner his or her reasonable costs and other litigation expenses, including reasonable attorney’s, appraisal, and engineering fees actually incurred because of the proceeding.