(A) A person who is aggrieved by a violation of this chapter is entitled to initiate an action to enjoin the violation and to recover actual losses in addition to damages in the amount of one thousand dollars for each violation.

(B) If the court finds a wilful violation, the court may, in its discretion, increase the amount of the award to an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars for each violation.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 37-21-80

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Person: means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, unincorporated organization, or other form of entity, however organized. See South Carolina Code 37-21-20

(C) Notwithstanding another provision of law, in addition to any damages awarded, the person initiating the action for a violation of this chapter may be awarded reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs.

(D) An action for damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs brought pursuant to this section may be filed in an appropriate circuit court or municipal or magistrates court so long as the amount claimed does not exceed the jurisdictional limits as applicable. An action brought pursuant to this section that includes a request for an injunction must be filed in an appropriate circuit court.

(E) It must be a defense to any action brought under this section that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error.

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