Washington Code 38.42.140 – Civil action — Attorney general
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(1) Civil proceedings to enforce this chapter may be brought by the attorney general against any person that:
Terms Used In Washington Code 38.42.140
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
(a) Engages in a pattern or practice of violating this chapter; or
(b) Engages in a violation of this chapter that raises an issue of significant public importance.
(2) In a civil action commenced under this section, the court may:
(a) Grant any appropriate equitable or declaratory relief, including costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, with respect to the violation of this chapter;
(b) Award all other appropriate relief, including monetary damages, to any person aggrieved by the violation; and
(c) To vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty:
(i) In an amount not exceeding fifty-five thousand dollars for a first violation; and
(ii) In an amount not exceeding one hundred ten thousand dollars for any subsequent violation.
(3) Upon timely application, a person aggrieved by a violation of this chapter with respect to which the civil action is commenced may intervene in such an action and may obtain appropriate relief as the person could obtain in a civil action under RCW 38.42.130 with respect to that violation, along with costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.