The plaintiffs were awarded $12,650.25 plus prejudgment interest following a three-day construction lien trial.
The defendants argued costs should be limited to 25% of the award under the former Mechanics Lien Act, but the court noted the revised Construction Lien Act leaves costs to the court's discretion.
Applying Rule 57, the court held that the proportionality doctrine should be tempered so successful plaintiffs suing for small amounts are not punished by unrealistically low costs awards.
The court awarded the plaintiffs $13,325.97 in costs on a partial indemnity basis.
