{"id":377156,"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-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-09-04T16:24:29","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T21:24:29","slug":"washington-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Washington Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n State and federal courts have time limits for either filing a civil complaint or formal criminal charges, which are intended to ensure the integrity of evidence and to prevent people from threatening lawsuits indefinitely. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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

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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\n\n\n

In the state of Washington, civil plaintiffs and prosecutors have a limited amount of time to file cases with the court. The laws setting these limitation periods are statutes of limitations.<\/p>\n

Statutes of limitations give those filing cases enough time to make their case in court, but set deadlines so that defendants don\u2019t have court cases pending forever.<\/p>\n

Washington law sets these deadlines so that all parties have access to evidence while it is current, and witness recollections are fresh. In civil cases, the statute requires plaintiffs to bring legal action within a certain period after the incident occurs. In a criminal case, the prosecutor must file criminal charges within the time provided<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Because of these strict deadlines, it’s important to consult an attorney when you think you have a legal claim. They can walk you through your options and ensure a complaint is filed on time.<\/p>\n

Understanding Statutes of Limitations<\/h2>\n

Under Washington state law, statutes of limitations are strict deadlines. If a party misses the statute, they cannot file their case. Although some exceptions exist, once the statute expires, or “runs,” the case is over.<\/p>\n

In most cases, the time period begins when an incident occurs. For example, in a personal injury case, the clock starts after a car accident.<\/p>\n

In other cases, the “discovery rule” applies. This allows a plaintiff to start the clock only when they could reasonably have learned they have a claim.<\/p>\n

For instance, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice case<\/a> would begin when the patient discovers that the surgeon left a medical instrument inside their stomach, instead of when the operation occurred.<\/p>\n

When necessary, the deadline is delayed or “tolled.” Tolling occurs when plaintiffs cannot file their case for equitable or other reasons.<\/p>\n