How Much Does a Rhode Island Lemon Law Claim Cost?
What a Rhode Island lemon-law claim costs — a $20 Arbitration Board fee, and mandatory attorney fees for a prevailing consumer, plus $25/day and a doubled award on appeal.
A Rhode Island lemon-law claim is low-cost to pursue: the AG’s Arbitration Board charges a $20 consumer filing fee, and lemon-law attorney fees are mandatory for a prevailing consumer (§ 31-5.2-11).
The Arbitration Board — a $20 fee
- $20 consumer filing fee (the manufacturer pays $50).
- Decision within 90 days.
- Only the manufacturer can appeal — and must post a bond.
Court — manufacturer pays your fees
- A prevailing plaintiff’s fees are mandatory under § 31-5.2-11.
- On a manufacturer’s appeal, you also recover $25/day for continued loss of use, and a frivolous appeal doubles the award.
So attorneys take meritorious cases on contingency: no fee upfront, costs advanced, fees recovered from the manufacturer. See attorney fees.
What you recover
- Refund (full price minus a small 100,000-mile use offset) or replacement (consumer elects).
- $25/day continuing damages; double award for a frivolous manufacturer appeal.
- DTPA actual damages or $500 (where the exemption doesn’t bar it).
Bottom line
The Arbitration Board costs $20; court costs you nothing out of pocket because lemon-law fees are mandatory, and the appeal-stage $25/day and doubled award add leverage. Get a free case review.
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Compare your situation to your state's requirements — and connect with a vetted lemon-law attorney for a free case review.