Parker Waichman Alonso, LLP - www.statutes-of-limitations.com

WASHINGTON

Negligence / Personal Injury

years with Discovery Rule.

Wrongful Death

years with Discovery Rule.

Medical Malpractice

3 years with Discovery Rule (1 year whichever is later). SOR: 8 years from wrongful act, unless intentional concealment or foreign object. (Knowledge of custodial parent imputed to minor.)

Caps:
Np specific limits on damage awards. Judgment for non-economic damages cannot exceed formulation of average annual wage and life expectancy of injured.

Malpractice (Other Professions)

years

Products Liability

years with Discovery Rule.
SOR: 12 years (Rebuttable presumption of useful life of product).

Intentional Torts

years

Fraud

years from discovery of fraud.

Municipal Liability/Sovereign Immunity

120 days to file notice of claim. 3 year SOL. Same SOL as private defendant except required notice of claim be filed before suit commences. 
Doctrine abolished as to state and all political subdivisions, municipal and quasi-municipal corporations except for discretionary acts, performance of quasi-judicial functions, and particular immunities granted by statute. Tort nonclaim statutes requiring presentation of claims to governmental entity in period shorter than usual statute of limitation were held unconstitutional, as were specialized commencement of action provisions and cost bond requirements, although provision requiring presentation of claim prior to commencement of action was upheld. State, its officers, employees, agents and members of state militia not civilly liable for damages arising from activities of militia while its members are considered federal employees.

Discovery Rule

Standard rule applies in Washington except see products liability and medical malpractice rules above.

Comparative Negligence

Rule applies but numerous qualifying statutes must be considered.

Charitable Immunity

Abolished

Disabilities

SOL runs after disability ends. Infants (18th birthday). After imprisonment ends. SOL does not run during absence or concealment of defendant.

Punitive Damages

Not allowed except where provided by statute.

No-Fault Insurance

None

Consumer Fraud Complaint

Washington Office of Attorney General, Consumer and Business Fair Practices Division
http://www.atg.wa.gov/SafeguardingConsumers/default.aspx

 

(800)551-4636 (toll-free in Washington)
(800) 692-5082, (206)464-6811 (consumer line)