707.57 Remedies and penalties.
(1) Private remedies.
(a) If a developer or any other person subject to this chapter fails to comply with this chapter or the time-share instrument, any person or class of persons adversely affected by the failure to comply has a claim for appropriate relief, including but not limited to damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, specific performance and rescission.
(b) A person or class of persons entitled to relief under par. (a) is also entitled to recover costs, disbursements and reasonable attorney fees, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1).
(2) Department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection authority.
(a) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, or any district attorney upon informing the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, may commence an action in circuit court in the name of the state to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction any violation of this chapter. Before entry of final judgment, the court may make such orders or judgments as may be necessary to restore to any person any pecuniary loss suffered because of the acts or practices involved in the action if proof of these acts or practices is submitted to the satisfaction of the court.
(b) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection may conduct hearings, administer oaths, issue subpoenas and take testimony to aid in its investigation of violations of this chapter.
(3) Penalty. Any person who violates this chapter shall be required to forfeit not more than $5,000 for each offense. Forfeitures under this subsection shall be enforced by action on behalf of the state by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or by the district attorney of the county where the violation occurs.
(4) Liberal construction. The remedies provided by this chapter shall be liberally administered.
History: 1987 a. 399; 1995 a. 27.
That under sub. (1), any person or class of persons adversely affected by the failure to comply with ch. 707 has a claim does not require that a plaintiff must show some specific harm or pecuniary loss resulting from a seller's violations in order to obtain a remedy under sub. (1). The requirement that a plaintiff be adversely affected by a violation serves to exclude those who have not entered into a transaction with a time-share seller from bringing suit for the seller's violations of ch. 707. Ott v. Peppertree Resort Villas, Inc. 2006 WI App 77, 292 Wis. 2d 173, 716 N.W.2d 127, 04-1226.