Any person who is injured in his
or her business or property by a violation of this chapter, or
any person so injured because he or she refuses to accede to a
proposal for an arrangement which, if consummated, would be in
violation of this chapter, may bring a civil action in the
superior court to enjoin further violations, to recover the
actual damages sustained by him or her together with the costs of
the suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee.
If a new motor vehicle dealer recovers a judgment or has a
claim dismissed with prejudice against a manufacturer under RCW 46.96.040 or 46.96.050(3) or this section, the new motor vehicle
dealer is precluded from pursuing that same claim or recovering
judgment for that same claim against the same manufacturer under
the federal Automobile Dealer Franchise Act, 15 U.S.C. Sections
1221 through 1225, but only to the extent that the damages
recovered by or denied to the new motor vehicle dealer are the
same as the damages being sought under the federal Automobile
Dealer Franchise Act. Likewise, if a new motor vehicle dealer
recovers a judgment or has a claim dismissed with prejudice
against a manufacturer under the federal Automobile Dealer
Franchise Act, the dealer is precluded from pursuing that same
claim or recovering judgment for that same claim against the same
manufacturer under this chapter, but only to the extent that the
damages recovered by or denied to the dealer are the same as the
damages being sought under this chapter.
A civil action brought in the superior court pursuant to the
provisions of this section must be filed no later than one year
following the alleged violation of this chapter.
[2010 c 8 § 9085; 1989 c 415 § 21; 1986 c 241 § 19; 1973 1st ex.s. c 132 § 19; 1967 ex.s. c 74 § 21.]
NOTES:
Severability -- 1989 c 415: See RCW 46.96.900.