Montana § 30-14-133 - Damages -- Limitation On Residential Construction Disputes -- Notice To Public Agencies -- Attorney Fees -- Prior Judgment As Evidence

§ 30-14-133. Damages -- Limitation On Residential Construction Disputes -- Notice To Public Agencies -- Attorney Fees -- Prior Judgment As Evidence

Damages -- limitation on residential construction disputes -- notice to public agencies -- attorney fees -- prior judgment as evidence. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), a consumer who suffers any ascertainable loss of money or property, real or personal, as a result of the use or employment by another person of a method, act, or practice declared unlawful by 30-14-103 may bring an individual action but not a class action under the rules of civil procedure in the district court of the county in which the seller, lessor, or service provider resides or has its principal place of business or is doing business to recover money damages in the amount of any ascertainable loss of money or property or $500, whichever is greater. An individual claim may be brought in justice's court. A consumer may bring an individual action under this section within the timeframe described in 27-2-211 . The court may not award punitive damages but may, in its discretion, award up to three times the money damages in the amount of any ascertainable loss of money or property sustained, if actual damages do not exceed $100,000, and may provide any other equitable relief that it considers necessary or proper. (b) A consumer may not bring or maintain an action under this section if the consumer is bringing an action subject to 70-19-427 or 70-19-428 against a construction professional. (2) Upon commencement of any action brought under subsection (1), the clerk of court shall mail a copy of the complaint or initial pleading to the department and the appropriate county attorney and, upon entry of any judgment or decree in the action, shall mail a copy of the judgment or decree to the department and the appropriate county attorney. (3) In any action brought under this section, the court may award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees incurred in prosecuting or defending the action, except that attorney fees may not be awarded if the consumer recovers actual damages of $100,000 or more. Attorney fees are limited to no more than $250 an hour. A person who brings an action on the person's own behalf without an attorney may receive attorney fees at the judge's discretion. (4) Any permanent injunction, judgment, or order of the court made under 30-14-111 is prima facie evidence in an action brought under this section that the respondent used or employed a method, act, or practice declared unlawful by 30-14-103 .