Dylan C. DiLibero, Esq.
Attorney
Criminal defense, state and federal · Personal injury · Civil litigation
View profileCivil litigation · Consumer protection
Consumer Protection Attorneys for Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Car dealers and contractors count on the fact that most people won’t fight back. We’re the ones who do.
What’s at stake
Car dealers bury illegal charges in fine print and rely on confusion in the finance office. Contractors pocket deposits and disappear, counting on the fact that you don’t know your options or whether fighting is worth the trouble. Most people don’t fight back. An attorney can tell you what your options are and whether a claim is worth pursuing.
Massachusetts Chapter 93A allows double or treble damages for willful or knowing violations and requires an attorney’s fee award when you win. Rhode Island law lets the court award three times your actual damages and reasonable attorney’s fees. Whether a fee award is available in your case is one of the first things we assess. If we take the case, we think it’s worth taking.
Situations we handle
Odometer Fraud (Federal Odometer Act, 49 U.S.C. § 32710)
Federal and state law prohibit odometer tampering and require accurate mileage disclosure. Under the federal odometer law, a seller who acted with intent to defraud owes three times your actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater, plus attorney’s fees.
Yo-Yo Financing and Spot Delivery Fraud
You drove the car home. The dealer calls days later and says the financing fell through and you need to come back and sign new terms at a higher rate. This practice can be deceptive and is often illegal, especially when the dealer keeps your deposit or trade-in.
Undisclosed Add-On Fees (Truth in Lending Act)
Dealer documentation fees, paint protection packages, and other add-ons that were never disclosed or agreed to are often buried in the finance office paperwork. We identify violations of the Truth in Lending Act and applicable state statutes.
Lemon Law Violations (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-1 et seq.; M.G.L. c. 90, §§ 7N½ and 7N¼)
Rhode Island and Massachusetts lemon laws require manufacturers to replace or refund new vehicles with defects that are not fixed after a set number of repair attempts or days out of service. Massachusetts also requires dealers to refund certain used cars. We handle lemon law claims and the state and manufacturer arbitration processes.
Certified Pre-Owned Misrepresentation
Manufacturer CPO programs set specific inspection and reconditioning standards. Selling a vehicle as certified when it doesn’t qualify, or hiding known defects, can support claims for misrepresentation, breach of warranty, and deceptive trade practices.
Contractor Abandonment
A contractor who takes your deposit and disappears, or stops work midway through a job without justification, has breached the contract and likely violated state consumer protection law. We pursue the full scope of your damages, including carrying costs and the premium you pay to bring in a new contractor to finish the work.
Substandard Workmanship
Work that doesn’t meet industry standards, fails to conform to the contract specifications, or causes damage to your property. We work with construction experts to document the deficiencies and quantify the cost to repair the work.
Unlicensed Contractor Work
Rhode Island requires contractors to register with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board before working on a structure. Massachusetts requires home improvement contractors to register under Chapter 142A. Working without a required registration is a statutory violation that can strengthen your claim.
Failure to Obtain Permits
Unpermitted work can affect your property’s value, your homeowner’s insurance, and your ability to sell. We pursue contractors who skipped the permit process and left you with the liability.
Mechanic’s Liens and Title Disputes
A contractor who records a mechanic’s lien after being paid in full, or for more than it is owed, clouds your title and can affect your ability to refinance or sell. We challenge improper liens through the court discharge process and pursue damages where the law allows.
Debt Collection Harassment
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits abusive, deceptive, and unfair practices by debt collectors. A successful claim can recover your actual damages, up to $1,000 in additional statutory damages, and attorney’s fees paid by the collector.
Deceptive Business Practices and False Advertising
Rhode Island’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Massachusetts Chapter 93A both prohibit unfair and deceptive acts in commerce. We pursue claims against businesses that misrepresented their products, services, or pricing in ways that caused you real harm.
Unfair Insurance Claim Handling
Insurers who unreasonably deny, delay, or underpay valid claims may be liable under Massachusetts Chapters 93A and 176D or Rhode Island’s insurer bad-faith statute. We represent policyholders against insurers who aren’t playing by the rules.
Claims against contractors in Rhode Island
A homeowner with a claim against a contractor for negligent work, improper work, breach of contract, or a contract dispute can sue in Superior Court. The case can be filed in the county where the homeowner lives or where the contractor lives or has its principal place of business. The same applies to an owner’s claim to discharge a mechanics’ lien or recoup money spent discharging one (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 5-65-11(a), 5-65-12.1(a)).
If you win, the court may also order the contractor to pay treble damages, reasonable attorney’s fees, and the costs of the case (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-12.1(b)). The Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board accepts complaints but does not decide your claims or order money damages to you (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-11(b)).
Registration also limits the contractor. A contractor that was not registered when it bid or signed the contract, and throughout the work, generally cannot file a lien, file a board claim, or sue in a Rhode Island court for payment (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-4(a)). A court may decline to apply that rule to avoid substantial injustice, and it does not apply to contractors that do not regularly work on residential structures (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 5-65-4(b), 5-65-24).
Our approach
Not every bad experience is a legal claim. We review the contract, the representations the business made, and the applicable statute to tell you plainly whether you have a case worth pursuing.
For consumer claims under Massachusetts Chapter 93A, a written demand letter must be sent at least 30 days before filing suit, which gives the business a chance to respond before a case is filed. We draft demand letters that put the business on notice of its exposure and create a record if the case goes further.
Consumer protection cases are built on paperwork like contracts, financing disclosures, invoices, warranties, and email/calls/texts. We review everything the business gave you (or didn’t) to determine whether and where the law was violated.
Consumer protection claims can resolve before trial through negotiation. When we negotiate, we account for any multiplied damages and fee-shifting the statute allows, which can raise the stakes for the business.
When a business won’t make things right, we take the case to court. That can mean Rhode Island Superior Court, Massachusetts Superior or District Court, and, in rare cases, federal court. If you win a Chapter 93A claim, the court must order the business to pay your attorney’s fees, and Rhode Island’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act lets the court do the same.
Deadlines to bring a consumer claim
Consumer claims have filing deadlines, and some are as short as one year. Each law sets its own starting point, so the clock may already be running.
These are general rules. When a claim starts to run can depend on the facts. A Truth in Lending Act violation can sometimes still be raised as a defense when a lender sues to collect the debt after the one-year period, unless state law provides otherwise (15 U.S.C. § 1640(e)).
| Claim | Deadline to file | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Chapter 93A | 4 years after the claim accrues | M.G.L. c. 260 § 5A |
| Fair Debt Collection Practices Act | 1 year from the date of the violation | 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d) |
| Truth in Lending Act | 1 year from the violation in most cases; 3 years for certain mortgage violations | 15 U.S.C. § 1640(e) |
| Federal odometer law | 2 years after the claim accrues | 49 U.S.C. § 32710(b) |
| Rhode Island lemon law | 3 years from original delivery of the vehicle or 2 years from when it reached 15,000 miles, whichever is earlier | R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-12 |
Chapter 93A demand letters, offers, and business claims
A consumer claim under Chapter 93A, § 9, starts with a written demand for relief, sent at least 30 days before suit. It must identify you and reasonably describe the unfair or deceptive act and your injury. No demand is needed for a counterclaim or cross-claim, or if the business does not maintain a place of business or does not keep assets in Massachusetts (M.G.L. c. 93A § 9(3)).
If the business makes a written settlement offer within 30 days and you reject it, the court can limit your recovery to that offer if it finds the offer was reasonable in relation to your actual injury. Attorney’s fees and costs incurred after you reject a reasonable offer made in that window are also denied (M.G.L. c. 93A § 9(3), (4)).
Damages rise to two to three times actual damages if the court finds a willful or knowing violation or a bad-faith refusal of relief by a business that knew or had reason to know its conduct was unlawful (M.G.L. c. 93A § 9(3)).
Businesses harmed by other businesses sue under § 11, which has no demand requirement. The conduct must have occurred primarily and substantially in Massachusetts, and the party denying that bears the burden of proof. A defendant can tender single damages in writing with its answer. If a rejected tender was reasonable, the court cannot award more than single damages (M.G.L. c. 93A § 11).
Remedies under the Rhode Island Deceptive Trade Practices Act
Rhode Island law declares unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce unlawful (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-2). Section 6-13.1-5.2, most recently amended in 2021, lets a consumer sue in Superior Court.
You can bring a claim if you bought or leased goods or services primarily for personal, family, or household purposes and suffered an ascertainable loss of money or property as a result. Purchases made mainly for business purposes fall outside this section (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-5.2(a)).
What you can recover or ask for under the section (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-5.2(a), (b), (d)):
- Actual damages or $500, whichever is greater.
- Damages equal to three times actual damages, if the court chooses to award them.
- Injunctions and other equitable relief the court finds necessary or proper.
- Reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, at the court’s discretion.
- A class action on behalf of others with similar injuries, if you adequately represent them.
What happens next
From the first call to the work itself.
We answer
When you contact us, you are not entering a queue.
What we do. Call 401-621-9700 or request a consultation online. We take your details and check for conflicts of interest before we discuss your matter.
What to prepare. Your contact details, and the names of anyone else involved, such as the other driver, business, or insurer.
We listen
We will give you honest answers about where you stand and what your options are.
What we do. An attorney reviews what happened, the documents you have, and any deadlines that may apply, then talks you through your options.
What to prepare. The contract or agreement, the key emails or letters, and invoices or payment records.
We fight
We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial.
What we do. If you decide to hire the firm, we confirm the engagement and get to work, and you know who is handling your matter.
What to prepare. Keep any new notices, letters, or court papers and send them to us as they arrive.
Every matter is different, so the steps and how long each one takes vary.
Who handles this work
Client reviews from Google
I had a great experience working with Dylan. He helped guide me through a situation I was dealing with involving a car dealership, and from the start he was professional, knowledgeable, and very easy to work with. Dylan took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I understood my options every step of the way. Even though the situation didn’t require anything overly complicated, it was clear that Dylan really knows his stuff and genuinely cares about helping his clients. He was responsive, straightforward, and made the entire process much less stressful. I would absolutely recommend Dylan to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy attorney. Thanks again for your help!
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Stephensilva SilvaOur go to! We have utilized DiLibero & Assoc for a few years now and highly recommend. They are easy to reach, operate in a timely manner, and in each instance- they guided us and handled our situations surpassing our expectations. So grateful to always know exactly where to turn! And to actually get resolution. On top of that being treated with dignity and respect- definitely minimizes the stress when going through difficult predicaments.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Aimee ZwolinskiTrustworthy, professional, and knowledgeable. DiLibero & Associates took the time to explain everything clearly and always made me feel informed throughout the process. Their honesty, responsiveness, and attention to detail gave me confidence every step of the way. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for legal representation they can trust.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Tony LevadaOne of the best experiences i’ve ever had legally was with this firm! Lisa and Dylan are extremely professional and determined to get you a desirable outcome! They kept me well informed throughout the entire process and were nothing but professional, understanding, and helpful. I will always recommend this firm due to its staff’s dedication to getting you results that matter!
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Elaina MI couldn’t be more impressed with Delibero and Associates. From my very first consultation, they were attentive, professional, and genuinely cared about my case. Dylan took the time to explain every step of the process and kept me informed the entire way. Their expertise and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that I was in excellent hands. What stood out most was their compassion, they treated me like a person, not just a client. The entire team worked efficiently, communicated clearly, and delivered results that exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for a law office that combines deep legal knowledge with true dedication to their clients, I highly recommend Delibero and Associates. They turned a stressful situation into a positive outcome.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Michael MarzilliReviews describe individual clients’ experiences. Every matter is different.
Read all reviews on Google (opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Bring us the purchase agreement, the financing disclosure, and any warranties or representations the dealer made. We’ll review it and tell you plainly whether the dealer violated the law and what the claim may be worth. In the right case, consumer protection statutes require the dealer to pay your attorney’s fees if you win. A consultation on a dealer case carries a fee, and we tell you what it is when you call.
You likely have a breach of contract claim and, depending on how the contractor conducted themselves, a consumer protection claim that can multiply your damages. Rhode Island and Massachusetts both have statutes that specifically address contractor misconduct. If the contractor was unregistered, that strengthens your case further. We’ll assess the situation and tell you what you’re looking at.
Several consumer protection statutes (Massachusetts Chapter 93A, the Federal Odometer Act, the FDCPA) require the business to pay the consumer’s attorney’s fees if the consumer wins. Whether one of these statutes applies is one of the first things we assess.
Certain consumer protection statutes (particularly Massachusetts Chapter 93A) allow a court to award two or three times the actual damages if the defendant’s conduct was willful or knowing. A dealer who intentionally rolled back an odometer, or a contractor who knowingly performed unlicensed work, may face multiplied damages on top of what they owe you. This is what makes consumer protection litigation meaningful for individuals against businesses with far more resources.
Potentially yes, particularly if a fee-shifting statute applies and the business’s misconduct was clear. We evaluate whether the economics make sense and won’t take a case we don’t think is worth your time. But the answer isn’t automatically no just because the dollar amount feels small, especially when multiplied damages are in play.
Yes. We are admitted in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts and handle consumer protection claims in both states. Where you file depends on where the transaction occurred and which statutes apply. Chapter 93A is a Massachusetts statute with some of the strongest consumer protection provisions in the country, and it applies to transactions that took place in Massachusetts regardless of where you live.
Generally four years after the claim accrues (M.G.L. c. 260 § 5A). For a consumer claim under § 9, the written demand letter must go out at least 30 days before the lawsuit is filed, so build that time in (M.G.L. c. 93A § 9(3)).
Take it seriously. If the business makes a written offer within 30 days and you reject it, the court can limit your recovery to that offer if it finds the offer was reasonable in relation to your actual injury. Fees and costs incurred after rejecting a reasonable offer are also denied (M.G.L. c. 93A § 9(3), (4)).
Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, generally one year from the date the violation occurs (15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d)).
Generally no. A contractor must have been registered when it bid or entered into the contract, and throughout the work, to file a lien or sue for payment. A court may set that rule aside to avoid substantial injustice, and it does not apply to contractors that do not regularly work on residential structures (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 5-65-4, 5-65-24).
The private right to sue under R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-5.2 covers goods or services bought or leased primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. A business harmed by another business may have a claim under Massachusetts Chapter 93A, § 11, if the conduct occurred primarily and substantially in Massachusetts (M.G.L. c. 93A § 11).
