How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Washington?

3 years from the date of injury for most personal injury claims. Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death. Missing this deadline almost always bars the claim entirely.

What damages can I recover?

Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases [def:punitive damages]. Washington does not impose general caps on compensatory damages.

Do I need a lawyer for a personal injury claim?

It's not legally required, but Washington's pure comparative fault rule and procedural requirements make these cases more complex than they may appear. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and attorneys — having your own counsel levels the playing field.

What should I do immediately after an injury?

Get medical treatment and follow through on recommended care. Preserve evidence: photos, incident reports, witness names. Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies. Document all expenses and how the injury affects your daily life.

OverviewUpdated 2026-02-27

Washington Personal Injury Guide — Claims & Deadlines

Q: What is Washington's fault rule?

Pure comparative fault [§ 4.22.005]. Washington follows pure comparative fault — damages are reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault, but the claim is never completely barred. Even a plaintiff who is 99% at fault can recover 1% of damages.

Negligence, fault rules, damages, and the deadline to file — what makes Washington injury claims different.

Jump to:

Car Accident Claims — What to Do Next Medical Malpractice — Requirements & Limits Wrongful Death Claims — Who Can File Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Personal Injury Damages — What You Can Recover Personal Injury Insurance Claims — How to File Slip & Fall — Premises Liability Claims

From Injury to Resolution

A personal injury claim starts the moment you are hurt and follows a path shaped by your state's fault rules, filing deadlines, and the insurance involved. The outcome depends on three things: whether someone else was at fault, whether you act within the legal deadline, and how well the harm is documented. Below is the general sequence — from the injury itself through resolution — with the key decision points that determine what a claim is worth and whether it survives.

⚠️

Injury Occurs

clock starts ticking

🏥

Medical Care

treat & document

📷

Preserve Evidence

photos, reports, witnesses

📋

Evaluate Claim

fault, damages, deadline

💬

Demand & Negotiate

insurance or lawsuit

⚖️

Resolution

settlement or verdict

Every case is different. Deadlines, fault rules, and damages vary by state. This is a general overview, not legal advice.

Washington's fault rule: Pure comparative fault

Washington follows pure comparative fault — damages are reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault, but the claim is never completely barred. Even a plaintiff who is 99% at fault can recover 1% of damages.

§4.22.005

💡Washington follows pure comparative fault — damages reduced proportionally by plaintiff's percentage of fault, never completely barred. RCW § 4.22.005 (comparative fault) and § 4.22.015 (several liability).

The deadline to file

Washington's Statute of limitations for personal injury is 3 years from the date of injury.

Three years for personal injury. RCW § 4.16.080.

Washington recognizes a discovery rule — meaning the clock may start when the injury is discovered (or should have been discovered) rather than when it occurred.

⚠Washington also has a 8-year statute of repose §4.16.350 that sets an absolute outer limit, regardless of when the injury was discovered.

Washington personal injury at a glance

	Rule in Washington
Statute of limitations (PI)	3 years
Statute of limitations (wrongful death)	3 years
Fault rule	Pure comparative fault §4.22.005
Damage caps	No general cap
Auto insurance minimums	25/50/10 §46.29.090

What you can recover

Medical expenses — past and future treatment, rehabilitation, prescription costs
Lost income — wages lost during recovery and reduced future earning capacity
Pain and suffering — physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage — repair or replacement of damaged property

Washington does not impose general caps on personal injury damages, though specific categories of cases may have their own limits.

Common types of personal injury cases

Car and vehicle accidents

The most common personal injury claim. Washington requires minimum auto liability insurance of 25/50/10 §46.29.090.

Medical malpractice

Claims against healthcare providers who fail to meet the standard of care.

Premises liability

Injuries on someone else's property due to unsafe conditions — slip and fall, inadequate security, hazardous conditions.

Wrongful death

When negligence causes death, the decedent's personal representative brings the action on behalf of the statutory beneficiaries — generally a surviving spouse or state registered domestic partner and children, with certain other family members eligible in some circumstances; confirm the current beneficiary rules with a lawyer. §4.20.010; §4.20.020.

What to do after an injury

Get medical treatment immediately and follow through — gaps in treatment undermine claims
Preserve evidence: photos, incident reports, witness names, and contact information
Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies before understanding your rights
Document everything: expenses, missed work, how the injury affects daily life

⚠If you have been seriously injured, do not assume you can wait to evaluate your options. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses become unavailable, and the statute of limitations is an absolute bar in most cases.

No Obligation

Ready to Talk to a Lawyer?

Submit a short intake form and a participating Washington attorney who handles this type of matter may reach out to you. No commitment required.

Request a Free Consultation →

No attorney-client relationship is created unless you later sign an engagement agreement. Participating attorneys may pay a marketing fee to receive inquiries.

Common Questions