(1) The legislature finds that the subject of viatical settlements is of vital importance to the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. Violations of this chapter are not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business. A violation of this chapter is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce. It is also an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.

     (2) Any person who is injured by a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action against a viatical settlement provider in superior court to recover his or her actual damages. The court may increase the award of damages to an amount not more than three times the actual damages sustained, and in addition the court may award costs and attorneys' fees to the injured person.

[1995 c 161 § 11.]