{"id":377071,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-03-18T14:18:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T19:18:15","slug":"washington-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Statutes of limitations define the amount of time a person has to file a cause of action after an event. These limits are critical in civil cases and criminal cases. But this article focuses on civil claims. Under Washington statute of limitation laws<\/a> for civil claims, personal injury claims have a three-year statute of limitations, as do fraud, injury to property, and trespassing. Debt collection has a six-year limit.<\/p>\r\n

If the statutory amount of time has passed and there is no action taken, the cause of action may get barred. This means you may lose the right to compensation for your injuries<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides an overview of Washington’s statutes of limitations for civil cases.<\/p>\r\n

Washington Civil Statute of Limitations Laws: At a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Below are the basics of Washington’s civil statutes of limitations, with links to related articles. To learn more, see Time Limit Considerations in Medical Malpractice Claims<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Injury to person<\/th>\r\n

Three years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.080<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

False imprisonment<\/th>\r\n

Three years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.080<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Libel\/slander (defamation)<\/th>\r\n

Two years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.100(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Fraud<\/th>\r\n

Three years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.080(4)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Injury to personal property (property damage)<\/th>\r\n

Three years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.080(2)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Professional malpractice<\/th>\r\n

Medical: Three years of the injury or one year upon discovery (up to eight years) (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.350(3)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Trespass on real property<\/th>\r\n

Three years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.080(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Collection of rents<\/th>\r\n

Six years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.040(3)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Contracts<\/th>\r\n
Collection of debt on account<\/th>\r\n

Six years (R.C.W. <\/a>\u00a7 4.16.040(2))<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Judgments<\/th>\r\n

10 years (R.C.W. \u00a7 4.16.020(2)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n