Virginia Code 59.1-471: Implied warranty; responsibility for repair, return, or replacement
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to any express warranty furnished by the manufacturer of an assistive device, such manufacturer shall also be deemed to have warranted to any consumer purchasing or leasing such device within this Commonwealth, that for a period of one year from date of first delivery to the consumer (i) the device, when used as intended, will be free from any nonconformity and (ii) any nonconformity will be repaired (parts and labor) by the manufacturer or its agent, without charge to the consumer.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 59.1-471
- Collateral costs: means expenses incurred by a consumer in connection with the repair of a nonconformity, including the reasonable costs of obtaining an alternative assistive device. See Virginia Code 59.1-470
- Consumer: means :
1. See Virginia Code 59.1-470
- device: means any new device, including a demonstrator, that a consumer purchases or accepts transfer of in this Commonwealth which is used for a major life activity or any other assistive device that enables a person with a disability to communicate, see, hear, or maneuver. See Virginia Code 59.1-470
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Manufacturer: means a person or company that manufactures or assembles assistive devices and agents of that person or company, including an authorized dealer, an importer, a distributor, factory branch, distributor branch and any warrantors of the manufacturer's assistive device, but does not include a professional who fabricates, without charge, a device for use in the course of treatment. See Virginia Code 59.1-470
- Nonconformity: means a condition or defect that significantly impairs the use, value, function or safety of an assistive device or any of its components, but does not include a condition or defect of the device that is the result of (i) abuse, misuse or neglect by a consumer, (ii) modifications or alterations not authorized by the manufacturer, (iii) normal wear, (iv) normal use which may be resolved through a fitting adjustment, routine maintenance, preventative maintenance or proper care, or (v) a consumer's failure to follow any manufacturer's written service and maintenance guidelines furnished to the customer at the time of purchase. See Virginia Code 59.1-470
- Reasonable attempt to repair: means that within one year after the date of first delivery of the assistive device:
1. See Virginia Code 59.1-470
B. If, after reasonable attempt to repair, any nonconformity is not repaired, the manufacturer shall either:
1. Accept return of the nonconforming assistive technology device and refund to the consumer or consumers, to the extent of each consumer’s participation in the initial purchase or lease of the device or collateral costs, within fourteen days thereof, (i) the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, if available, (ii) the full purchase price of the device, excluding the cost of services associated with the device’s initial purchase, together with reasonable collateral costs, or (iii) if the device was leased, all lease payments made through the date of return together with a proportional share of any required deposit; or
2. Accept return of the nonconforming assistive technology device and replace such nonconforming device with one of comparable market value, function and usefulness within thirty days of such request.