Opinion ID: 1059705
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Enhanced Damages

Text: Holmes does not challenge the amount of actual damages awarded by the trial court. He asserts, however, that the trial court should have trebled the $4,000 actual damage award because it found that LG Marion engaged in a willful violation of the VCPA. Holmes bases his request on Code § 59.1-204(A), which states that [i]f the trier of fact finds that the violation [of the VCPA] was willful, it may increase the damages to an amount not exceeding three times the actual damages sustained, or $1,000, whichever is greater. Code § 59.1-204(A). This section, Holmes asserts, represents the General Assembly's intent that willful violators of the VCPA suffer a punitive sanction in the form of enhanced damages. The purpose of Code § 59.1-204(A) is to provide a penalty for intentional violations of the VCPA in addition to restitution for damages incurred. The General Assembly, nevertheless, did not mandate the imposition of such penalty, but left that decision to the discretion of the trier of fact. Therefore, on appellate review, we will not disturb the trial court's decision unless we find that the decision was an abuse of discretion. LG Marion's violation of the VCPA was willful, according to the trial court, because LG Marion knew there were problems with the vehicle. When Holmes asked about its condition, LG Marion either intentionally misrepresented the condition of the vehicle or purposely failed to ascertain its true condition. In determining the damages, however, the trial court expressed concern over its ability to ascertain the damage which flowed from this misrepresentation. Holmes drove the vehicle over 6,000 miles after he noticed the problems with it and before he had the vehicle independently evaluated in order to determine its true condition. Holmes' actions in this regard not only had an adverse effect on determining the actual damages Holmes incurred, but also on the extent punitive sanctions should flow from the willful misrepresentation. While the VCPA is remedial legislation and should be liberally applied, the statutory authorization to impose enhanced actual damages is not a requirement to do so. Under the facts of this case, we cannot say that the trial court applied erroneous principles of law or otherwise abused its discretion in declining to impose enhanced damages under Code § 59.1-204(A).