52:27D-347. Liability for damages

a. A provider or person acting on behalf of the provider is liable to the person who contracts for the continuing care for damages, including repayment of all fees paid to the provider, facility or person who violates this act plus interest thereon at the legal rate, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, if the provider or person acting on behalf of the provider:

(1) Enters into a contract for continuing care at a facility which does not have a certificate of authority issued pursuant to this act;

(2) Enters into a contract for continuing care at a facility without having first delivered a disclosure statement to a person contracting for continuing care pursuant to this act; or

(3) Enters into a contract for continuing care at a facility with a person who has relied on a disclosure statement which omits a material fact required to be stated therein pursuant to this act.

The reasonable value of care and lodging provided to the resident by or on whose behalf the contract for continuing care was entered into prior to discovery of the violation, misstatement or omission or the time the violation, misstatement or omission should reasonably have been discovered shall be deducted from the amount of repayment due the person.

b. A provider is liable under this section whether or not the provider has actual knowledge of the violation, misstatement or omission. A person acting on behalf of the provider is liable under this section only if the person has actual knowledge of the violation, misstatement or omission.

c. A person may not file or maintain an action under this section if before filing the action, the person received an offer to refund all amounts paid to the provider, facility or person violating this act plus interest from the date of payment, less the reasonable value of care and lodging provided prior to receipt of the offer, and the person failed to accept the offer within 30 days of its receipt. At the time a provider makes a written offer of rescission, the provider shall file a copy with the commissioner and obtain the approval of the commissioner for the offer. The offer shall be written in clear and understandable language and shall explain the limitation on court action provided pursuant to this subsection. Subject to the provisions of this subsection, nothing in this act shall prohibit any person from seeking injunctive or other relief from the provider in a court of law or equity in this State. d. A person shall not institute an action to enforce a liability created under this act more than six years after the violation is discovered or could have been discovered in the exercise of due diligence.

e. Except as expressly provided in this act, civil liability in favor of a private party shall not arise against a person by implication from or as a result of the violation of this act or an order issued pursuant to this act. This act shall not limit a liability which may exist by virtue of any other law if this act were not in effect.

L. 1986, c. 103, s. 18.