(a) In addition to pursuing any other remedy, a consumer may bring an action to recover any damages caused by a violation of this chapter, plus taxable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. For a violation of any of the obligations provided by § 6-45-5(a), whether relative to a refund as described in § 6-45-5(a)(1) or to a replacement as described in § 6-45-5(a)(2), the court shall award damages equal to the greater of:
- (1) Actual damages; or
(2) The sum of:
(i) Two (2) times the amount obtained as:
- (A) The amount that should have been refunded under § 6-45-5(a)(1) or that should have been refunded under § 6-45-5(a)(1) had the consumer chosen that option; minus
- (B) The amount that was actually refunded, if any; minus
(C) The amount, if any, of the difference between the amounts described in clauses (A) and (B) that was attributable to a good faith dispute by the manufacturer as to:
- (I) The amount of collateral costs; or
- (II) The length of a useful life greater than five (5) years in calculating the reasonable allowance for use under § 6-45-5(c) and 6-45-5(d); and
- (ii) The amount described in subsection (a)(2)(i)(C) of this section.
- (b) Actual damages caused by a violation of this chapter shall include collateral costs, beginning at the time of the violation, whether or not the consumer acquired the rights provided by § 6-45-5(a).
- (c) The remedies of a buyer or lessee described in §§ 6A-2-715 or 6A-2.1-520, with respect to an assistive technology device, shall not be excluded or limited.
- (d) The rights and remedies provided to the consumer by this chapter shall be in addition to those available under any other law.
- (e) Any waiver by a consumer of rights under this chapter is void.
History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 32.