Washington Statute of Limitations

Statute of limitations varies from state to state regarding the many types of fatal accidents. The last thing you want to do as the family of a victim of an accidental fatality is miss your opportunity to file a lawsuit.

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Here are some important facts to know about Washington’s statute of limitations and time limits for filing a lawsuit:

• Negligence - 3 years after injury
  
• Medical Malpractice – Against health care providers = within 3 yrs. of date of act giving rise to injury OR within 1 yr. from date of when injury was or should have been discovered (whichever is later); may not file more than 8 yrs. after act giving rise to injury. Parent’s knowledge of injury to minor child is imputed on the parent.
  
• Product Liability – 3 yrs after suffering injury or date injury was or should’ve been found
  
• Wrongful Death – 3 years after date of death
  
• Survival – 2 years

Caps on Lawyers Awards – Court to determine reasonableness of each party’s attorney fees
Caps on Damage Awards
Medical Malpractice – Damages for noneconomic damages may not exceed an amount determined by formula, based upon the plaintiff's average annual wage and life expectancy
Product Liability – Formula limitation on noneconomic damages based on life expectancy and average annual wages
Pharmaceutical cases - Formula limitation on noneconomic damages based on life expectancy and average annual wages
Minors tolling: Except in cases or wrongful death or where a parent has knowledge of a medical malpractice injury, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday

Contact Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Today »

Washington State Police
General Administration Building
PO Box 42600
Olympia, WA 98504-2600
360-753-6540
http://www.wsp.wa.gov/index.htm

Washington Trial Lawyers
1 Convention Center Place
701 Pike St., Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98101
206-749-0139
http://www.wdtl.org