[Osem]

When it comes to litigation, first offers are to be avoided IMHO. They can simply be a means by which to put pressure on claimants to settle prematurely and thereby reduce the size/scope of any resulting action. My tenuous understanding is that if the matter proceeds to court and the final award is lower than a previous offer made then the claimant can be liable for the other side's legal costs from the time that offer was made.