Source: https://tollefsenlaw.com/washington-state-legal-fees/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 21:08:22+00:00

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This page describes some but not all of the statutes in Washington State that provide for legal fees.
The general rule in the United States is that each party pays their own legal fees (in contrast to other common law countries like the United Kingdom). The exception to the rule comes from specific agreements in contracts, equitable grounds, or in statutes that award legal fees in certain circumstances. “In Washington, “‘[a]ttorney fees may be recovered only when authorized by statute, a recognized ground of equity, or agreement of the parties.'” Wiley v. Rehak, 143 Wn.2d 339, 348, 20 P.3d 404 (2001) (alteration in original) (quoting Perkins Coie v. Williams, 84 Wn. App. 733, 742-43, 929 P.2d 1215 (1997)).” Niccum v Enquist (2012 WaSC).
Often the language of contracts and statutes provides that the prevailing party is entitled to legal fees. The court or arbitration panel must decide who is the prevailing party (sometimes the decision is split with wins on both sides), how to allocate the fees incurred (time can be spent on losing issues), and what is a reasonable fee under the circumstances.
RCW § 4.84.250 awards attorney fees to the prevailing party for cases which plead damages of less than $10,000 whether in District or Superior Court (RCW § 4.84.300).
“Joint and several liability for damages shall apply to persons and organizations that commit an intentional tort by taking, releasing, destroying or damaging any animal or animals kept by a person for agricultural production purposes or by a veterinarian for veterinary purposes; or by destroying or damaging any farm or veterinary equipment or supplies pertaining to such animal or animals.”Attorney fees, a $100,000 fine, and investigation costs are awardable to the plaintiff. RCW § 4.24.575.
“Joint and several liability for damages shall apply to persons and organizations that commit an intentional tort by (a) taking, releasing, destroying, contaminating, or damaging any animal or animals kept in a research or educational facility, where the animal or animals are used or to be used for medical research or other research purposes, or for educational purposes; or (b) destroying or damaging any records, equipment, research product, or other thing pertaining to such animal or animals.” Attorney fees, a $100,000 fine, and investigation costs are awardable to the plaintiff. RCW § 4.24.570.
“An art dealer violating RCW 18.110.030 is liable to the artist for fifty dollars plus actual damages, including incidental and consequential damages, sustained as a result of the violation. If an art dealer violates RCW 18.110.030, the artist’s obligation for compensation to the art dealer is voidable. In an action under this section the court may, in its discretion, award the artist reasonable attorney’s fees.” RCW § 18.110.040 The statute requires a written contract and protects the artist’s work and money.
” Failure to comply with estimate requirements An automotive repair facility that fails to comply with the estimate requirements of RCW 46.71.025 is barred from recovering in an action to recover for automotive repairs any amount in excess of one hundred ten percent of the amount authorized by the customer, or the customer’s designee, unless the repair facility proves by a preponderance of the evidence that its conduct was reasonable, necessary, and justified under the circumstances. In an action to recover for automotive repairs the prevailing party may, at the discretion of the court, recover the costs of the action and reasonable attorneys’ fees.” RCW § 46.71.035.
“(1) An educational institution has a right of action against an athlete agent or a former student-athlete for damages caused by a violation of this chapter. In an action under this section, the court may award to the prevailing party costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.” RCW § 19.225.120.
The statute prohibits numerous transactions and requires licenses. RCW § 19.16.440 makes violations of licensing or prohibited conduct per se CPA violations. More.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates the release of credit report including after identity theft. RCW § 19.182.150 makes violations of licensing or prohibited conduct per se CPA violations. Intentional violations add a $1000 penalty.
(1) An entity must take all reasonable steps to destroy, or arrange for the destruction of, personal financial and health information and personal identification numbers issued by government entities in an individual’s records within its custody or control when the entity is disposing of records that it will no longer retain.
(2) An entity is not liable under this section for records it has relinquished to the custody and control of the individual to whom the records pertain.
(3) This subsection [section] does not apply to the disposal of records by a transfer of the records, not otherwise prohibited by law, to another entity, including a transfer to archive or otherwise preserve public records as required by law.
(4) An individual injured by the failure of an entity to comply with subsection (1) of this section may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction. The court may: (a) If the failure to comply is due to negligence, award a penalty of two hundred dollars or actual damages, whichever is greater, and costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees; and (b) If the failure to comply is willful, award a penalty of six hundred dollars or damages equal to three times actual damages, whichever is greater, and costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. However, treble damages may not exceed ten thousand dollars.
(5) An individual having reason to believe that he or she may be injured by an act or failure to act that does not comply with subsection (1) of this section may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin the act or failure to act. The court may grant an injunction with terms and conditions as the court may deem equitable.” RCW § 19.215.020.
If the wrongful conduct of a person involved an innocent person in the litigation, attorney fees may be awarded under an equitable subordination theory. Dauphin v Smith, 42 Wn. App. 491, 494, 713 P.2d 116 (1986).
“(2) Any person who sells or offers to sell a franchise in violation of this chapter shall be liable to the franchisee or subfranchisor who may sue at law or in equity for damages caused thereby for rescission or other relief as the court may deem appropriate. In the case of a violation of RCW 19.100.170 rescission is not available to the plaintiff if the defendant proves that the plaintiff knew the facts concerning the untruth or omission or that the defendant exercised reasonable care and did not know or if he or she had exercised reasonable care would not have known of the untruth or omission. (3) The suit authorized under subsection (2) of this section may be brought to recover the actual damages sustained by the plaintiff and the court may in its discretion increase the award of damages to an amount not to exceed three times the actual damages sustained: PROVIDED, That the prevailing party may in the discretion of the court recover the costs of said action including a reasonable attorneys’ fee.” RCW § 19.100.190. Damages can be trebled. RCW § 19.100.190(3).
In addition to failure to register, it “is unlawful for any person in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of any franchise or subfranchise in this state directly or indirectly: (1) To make any untrue statement of a material fact in any application, notice, or report filed with the director under this law or willfully to omit to state in any application, notice or report, any material fact which is required to be stated therein or fails to notify the director of any material change as required by RCW 19.100.070(3). (2) To sell or offer to sell by means of any written or oral communication which includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading. (3) To employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud. (4) To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person. (5) To violate any order of the director.” RCW § 19.100.170.
Opposing a frivolous action or defense (RCW § 4.84.185 and CR11).
Regulates advertising, limits time, and prohibits continuing in business. Violations are per se CPA violations. RCW § 19.178.110.
Registration is required. The Secretary of State regulates this industry. An informational document is proscribed. Violation is a per se CPA violation. RCW § 19.166.100.
Persons injured by the failure to disclose change in mortgage servicing company may be awarded attorney fees and costs. RCW § 19.148.030.
Failure to fix a vehicle according to the statutory provisions is a per se CPA violation. RCW § 19.118.120.
Failure to promptly clear title when selling or leasing a motor vehicle is a per se violation of the CPA. RCW § 19.116.030.
The statute requires certain disclosures and protects children. Violation is a per se CPA violation. RCW § 19.162.010.
“Violations — Action for damages A person who suffers damage from a violation of this chapter may bring an action against an information provider. In an action alleging a violation of this chapter, the court may award the greater of three times the actual damages sustained by the person or five hundred dollars; equitable relief, including but not limited to an injunction and restitution of money and property; attorneys’ fees and costs; and any other relief that the court deems proper. For purposes of this section, a telecommunications company or interexchange carrier is a person. RCW § 19.162.070.
Regulates the advertising of prizes and the sending of checks (real or promotional). Damages are available and include the value of prize not received plus $500 or three times actual damages not to exceed $10,000 and attorney fees and costs. RCW § 19.170.060. Violations are per se CPA violations. § 19.170.010.
By either party, in an action brought by an owner to recover goods in the possession of a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer, or an action brought by a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer against an owner, or a person claiming ownership, to determine title or ownership of any item, the prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.” RCW § 19.60.062.
Sellers of travel have advertising, registration, and trust fund obligations. Violations of this statute are per se CPA violations. RCW § 19.138.290. Registration is required to bring or defend a legal action.
Unlawful actions of handlers, producers, or members are actionable and attorney fees can be awarded. RCW §§ 15.83.030, 15.83.040, and 15.83.070.
It is unlawful to attempt to collect for unsolicited goods or goods solicited but not sold on the solicited terms. RCW § 19.56.020. Sending unsolicited goods or newspapers are CPA violations. RCW § 19.52.030.
Charging interest in excess of the legal rate in non-business transactions is prohibited. Costs and attorney fees are available. RCW § 19.52.030. A usurious contract is a CPA violation. RCW § 19.52.036.

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