If the state favorably settles or prevails in a civil action in which the state intervened or filed, the state is entitled to be awarded reasonable expenses, consultant and expert witness fees, costs, and attorney’s fees. In an action in which outside counsel is engaged by the attorney general, the costs and attorney’s fees awarded to that counsel must equal the outside counsel’s charges reasonably incurred for costs and attorney’s fees in prosecuting the action. The expenses, fees, and costs must be awarded against the defendant. The state is not liable for costs, attorney’s fees, or other expenses incurred by a person in bringing or defending an action under this chapter.