The Florida Senate

¹497.527  Civil remedies.--The Attorney General or any person may bring a civil action against a person or company violating the provisions of this chapter in the appropriate court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has his or her or its principal place of business or in the county wherein the alleged violation occurred. Upon adverse adjudication, the defendant shall be liable for actual damages caused by such violation. The court may, as provided by common law, award punitive damages and may provide such equitable relief as it deems proper or necessary, including enjoining the defendant from further violations of this chapter.

History.--ss. 30, 40, ch. 80-238; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; s. 1, ch. 89-8; ss. 80, 122, ch. 93-399; s. 569, ch. 97-103; s. 10, ch. 98-268; s. 39, ch. 2004-301.

¹Note.--Section 39, ch. 2004-301, renumbered s. 497.527 as s. 497.169 and amended the section, effective October 1, 2005, to read:

497.169  Private actions; actions on behalf of consumers; attorney's fee.--

(1)  The Attorney General, or the department on behalf of Florida residents, or any person may bring a civil action against a person or company violating the provisions of this chapter in the appropriate court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has her or his or its principal place of business or in the county wherein the alleged violation occurred. Upon adverse adjudication, the defendant shall be liable for actual damages caused by such violation. The court may, as provided by common law, award punitive damages and may provide such equitable relief as it deems proper or necessary, including enjoining the defendant from further violations of this chapter.

(2)  In any civil litigation resulting from a transaction involving a violation of this chapter, the court may award to the prevailing party, after judgment in the trial court and exhaustion of any appeal, reasonable attorney's fees and costs from the nonprevailing party in an amount to be determined by the trial court. Any award of attorney's fees or costs shall become a part of the judgment and shall be subject to execution as the law allows.

(3)  The provisions of this chapter are cumulative to rights under the general civil and common law, and no action of the department may abrogate such rights to damages or other relief in any court.

Note.--Former s. 559.501; s. 497.056.