Have you or a loved one been hurt because of someone else? There is a time limit on filing a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage. You need to know what kind of claim you have to determine how long you must file it. Washington’s personal injury statute of limitations is the time restriction for a legal action to be filed.
This means you cannot file a case and recover damages after the statute of limitations has passed. For help, click here.
According to RCW 4.16.080, there is a three-year time limit for filing a negligence lawsuit in Washington state. Injuries to one’s “person” (or personal injury claims) include, but are not limited to, those sustained in car accidents, on the job, or as a result of medical malpractice. The statute of limitations in Washington is four years if the act was accidental.
Statute of limitations
In Washington, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is eight years. Please consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney if you have questions about whether or not you still have time to bring a lawsuit. There may be a loophole even if you think the Washington personal injury statute of limitations has expired.
If a child has been sexually abused and the injury is not immediately apparent, there is an exception to this rule. The statute of limitations for filing a claim is three years from the day the victim turned 18 if the victim was a juvenile during the injury or abuse.
After taking care of your injuries and getting the medical attention you need, you should contact a seasoned personal injury attorney as soon as possible for a free assessment of your case. It is helpful to have the accident or police report, photos, a list of your symptoms, the amount of time you’ve missed from work due to your injuries, the names and contact information of any witnesses, and a timeline of events to present to the personal injury attorney you hire.
Better sooner than later
If you have been injured, you should seek compensation immediately. Staying within the Washington statute of limitations, getting more in-depth testimony from witnesses, and giving your lawyer enough time to build a case based on the evidence before the Washington personal injury statute of limitation expires are good reasons to act quickly.
Even if you decide not to file a claim, informing any parties who might be held liable for your injuries is still essential. Remembering that you only have three years from the date of your accident to submit a claim might help you make an informed decision about whether or not to reach out to a personal injury attorney.
