Home› State Guides› Washington

Washington Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Washington under RCW ch. 4.16 — three years for most torts and oral contracts, six for written ones, and a distinctive two-year window for defamation and intentional torts.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

2–6

year filing range

Govt. Notice

0.2

yrs to notify govt.

1 of these entries are marked “Unverified.” They have been added to the register but not yet checked line-by-line against the current statute text. Treat those figures as a starting point only, and confirm the citation at its official source before relying on it.

3 YEARS

Personal Injury

Three years for an action for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, or for any other injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise enumerated.

RCW 4.16.080(2) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Three years from the act or omission, or one year from when the claimant discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury was caused by it — whichever is later.

RCW 4.16.350 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Written Contract

Six years from breach on a written contract.

RCW 4.16.040(1) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years for waste or trespass upon real property and for injury to personal property.

RCW 4.16.080(1) ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Defamation

Two years for libel or slander — longer than the one year most states allow, but shorter than Washington's own three-year general tort period.

RCW 4.16.100(1) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Product Liability

Three years from when the claimant discovered or in the exercise of due diligence should have discovered the harm and its cause.

RCW 7.72.060(3) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Three years from the date of death.

RCW 4.16.080(2) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Fraud

Three years, with accrual expressly delayed until the aggrieved party discovers the facts constituting the fraud.

RCW 4.16.080(4) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Three years — half the window a written contract gets.

RCW 4.16.080(3) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Three years, generally running from when the client discovered or should have discovered the injury.

RCW 4.16.080(2) Unverified

2 YEARS

Assault & Battery

Two years — a year less than an ordinary negligence claim, because intentional torts are carved into the two-year section.

RCW 4.16.100(1) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years for waste or trespass upon real property.

RCW 4.16.080(1) ✓ Verified

0.2

years

Government claims notice

Tort claim form plus a 60-day waiting period — RCW 4.96.020, 4.92.100 Washington does not use a short notice deadline of the New York or New Jersey kind. Instead a standard tort claim form must be filed with the local government entity under RCW 4.96.020 (or with the Office of Risk Management for state claims under RCW 4.92.100), and the claimant must then wait 60 calendar days before filing suit. That waiting period is tolled against the limitations clock, but filing suit early is grounds for dismissal.

Common Questions About Washington Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Washington?

It depends on the type of claim. Washington filing deadlines range from 2 years to 6 years — for example, personal injury 3 years, breach of a written contract 6 years, medical malpractice 3 years, defamation 2 years.

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington?

3 years under RCW 4.16.080(2). Three years for an action for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, or for any other injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise enumerated. Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Washington?

3 years under RCW 4.16.080(2). Three years from the date of death. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Washington?

3 years under RCW 4.16.350. Three years from the act or omission, or one year from when the claimant discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury was caused by it — whichever is later. Full medical malpractice rules →

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Washington?

6 years under RCW 4.16.040(1). Six years from breach on a written contract. Full breach of a written contract rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Washington?

2 years under RCW 4.16.100(1). Two years for libel or slander — longer than the one year most states allow, but shorter than Washington's own three-year general tort period. Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Washington?

3 years under RCW 4.16.080(1). Three years for waste or trespass upon real property and for injury to personal property. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Washington?

Often, yes. Tort claim form plus a 60-day waiting period under RCW 4.96.020, 4.92.100. This is usually much shorter than the ordinary deadline.

Know your rights — check the claim type that matches your situation, then confirm the deadline with a licensed attorney.

Browse claim types

Washington Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Washington Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Washington?

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington?

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Washington?

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Washington?

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Washington?

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Washington?

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Washington?

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Washington?

Get Help in Washington