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Washington Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Calculator

Washington gives most claims a broad, unified three years — covering injury, property, and even civil rights claims under the same rule. Enter your date below to see your actual deadline.

RCW 4.16.080 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · Reviewed 2026 · How we calculate

When is your filing deadline?

Enter the date of the injury. We'll show the actual Washington deadline, in plain terms.

Deadline to file suit (3 years)
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Also partly at fault? Check how that changes things →
Why: RCW 4.16.080(2) sets a broad three-year deadline covering personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death alike.
Injured in Washington?

A local personal injury attorney can review your claim — many offer a free consultation.

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The general rule: a genuinely broad three years

Under RCW 4.16.080(2), most personal injury claims must be filed within three years. A genuinely distinctive feature: this same subsection covers a remarkably wide range of claim types — personal injury, property damage, wrongful death, legal malpractice, and even certain civil rights and employment discrimination claims that don't have their own specific limitations period.

Property damage: the same three years, not a separate period

Unlike many states that split personal injury and property damage into different deadlines, Washington generally applies the same three-year rule to both.

Medical malpractice: a distinct discovery-based rule

Medical malpractice claims follow their own framework, with a genuinely interesting history behind the government notice rules that surround it. See our full guide to Washington's discovery rule and tolling for the details.

Government claims: a real constitutional showdown

Washington's legislature has twice tried to shorten the pre-suit notice period for government claims — and the state's Supreme Court has twice struck those attempts down as unconstitutional. See our full guide to Washington government claim deadlines for this genuinely significant legal history.

Washington statute of limitations — frequently asked questions

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

Three years from the date of injury, under RCW 4.16.080(2) — a genuinely broad statute that also covers property damage, wrongful death, legal malpractice, and even certain civil rights and discrimination claims.

Does property damage share the same three-year deadline in Washington?

Yes. Unlike many states, Washington doesn't split personal injury and property damage into separate periods — both generally fall under the same three-year rule.

Is medical malpractice treated differently in Washington?

Yes. Under RCW 4.16.350(3), a malpractice claim generally must be filed by the later of three years from the act or one year from discovery.

Is Washington's wrongful death deadline also three years?

Yes. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within three years, matching the general personal injury rule.

What happens if I miss Washington's filing deadline?

The court will almost always dismiss the case, and the right to seek compensation is lost permanently, regardless of how strong the underlying claim was.

Washington personal injury tools & guides

Discovery Rule & TollingMalpractice's own discovery rule, and absence tolling Government Claim DeadlinesTwice ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court What Happens If You Miss the DeadlineWashington's dismissal rule, and rare exceptions Washington Comparative Negligence CalculatorWashington's pure comparative fault rule

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on Washington statute (RCW 4.16.080, § 4.16.350) verified per our methodology. Deadlines can vary based on the specific facts of a claim. Confirm your actual deadline with a licensed Washington attorney before acting.