Washington · Personal injury

Washington Personal Injury Deadline, Fault, and Damages Rules

3 years from date of injury.

4 rules checked against governing sourcesSources checked through Jul 3, 2026Inspect the coverage gate

Answer first, sources attached

Four liability rules to check first

Limitations, government notice, fault, and damages rules can change both case selection and the first preservation steps.

Filing deadline

General injury limitation period

3 years from date of injury.

Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080(2)

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Pre-suit notice

Government claim notice

Claim for damages must be presented to state/local government before suit; suit starts only after the statutory 60-day waiting period.

Wash. Rev. Code Secs. 4.96.020, 4.92.110.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Recovery threshold

Comparative fault rule

Pure comparative fault; contributory fault diminishes damages proportionately and does not bar recovery.

Wash. Rev. Code Sec. 4.22.005.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

What changes the answer

The statewide rule is the starting point

  • Claim and defendant typeMedical, product, wrongful-death, government, and other claims may use different clocks.
  • Accrual and discoveryThe event that starts a limitation period can be disputed or claim-specific.
  • Minority, incapacity, and tollingStatutory tolling and repose rules can change or override the general period.
  • Allocation and damages categoryFault thresholds and caps may apply differently by defendant, conduct, and remedy.

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This page reports source-linked state rules and review dates. It does not calculate a deadline, determine eligibility, select a procedure, value a claim, or apply law to an individual situation. Verify the cited authority, local procedure, and current law before relying on a rule.