General deadline orientation
RCW 4.16.080 places several actions involving injury to a person or another person’s rights in a three-year category.
Washington personal injury law research
Use this page to frame research—not to calculate a deadline or predict how a court would apply the law.
Primary sources firstReviewed September 24, 2026No legal advice
Fault-rule orientation
RCW 4.22.005 states that contributory fault diminishes compensatory damages in proportion to fault but does not bar recovery.
What requires separate review
Medical negligence, public bodies, minors, accrual questions, and other circumstances can invoke separate statutes or procedures.
Issue checklist
Questions to resolve before relying on a rule
- What is the claim?Negligence, wrongful death, medical negligence, product liability, and other claims may use different provisions.
- Who is the defendant?Government bodies, employers, health providers, and other parties may trigger notice or pre-suit requirements.
- When did time begin?Occurrence, discovery, disability, minority, tolling, and repose questions can change the analysis.
- Which law controls?Location, court, conflicts rules, contracts, and the parties can matter.
Source register
Continue with official and institutional sources
Open the source, confirm its effective date, follow cross-references, and preserve the version reviewed.
Official code starting pointRevised Code of WashingtonOpen source ↗Reviewed sourceRCW 4.16.080Open source ↗Reviewed sourceRCW 4.22.005Open source ↗Reviewed sourceWashington State Bar legal directoryOpen source ↗National starting pointFind state and local courtsOpen resource ↗National starting pointFind state bar directories and lawyer findersOpen resource ↗
Local directory
Explore Washington →Continue to Washington firms
Use the directory to build a shortlist, then verify licensing, relevant experience, current practice, and written engagement terms directly.
Educational information only. This page does not state the deadline for a particular matter, describe every exception, or replace jurisdiction-specific legal advice. Reviewed September 24, 2026.