Title 4 — Title 4 CIVIL PROCEDURE

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2632.SL) ***When a person shall be an alien subject or a citizen of a country at war with the United States, the time of the continuance of the war shall not be a part of the period limited for the commencement of the action.[1941 c 174 s 1, part; Code…

When the enforcement of civil liabilities against a person in the military service of the United States has been suspended by operation of law, the period of such suspension shall not be a part of the period limited for the commencement of the action.[1941 c 174 s 1, part; Code 1…

When the commencement of an action is stayed by injunction or a statutory prohibition, the time of the continuance of the injunction or prohibition shall not be a part of the time limited for the commencement of the action.[Code 1881 s 40; 1877 p 10 s 41; 1854 p 365 s 14; RRS s 1…

If an action shall be commenced within the time prescribed therefor, and a judgment therein for the plaintiff be reversed on error or appeal, the plaintiff, or if he or she dies and the cause of action survives, his or her heirs or representatives may commence a new action within…

No person shall avail himself or herself of a disability unless it existed when his or her right of action accrued.[ 2011 c 336 s 87; Code 1881 s 42; 1877 p 10 s 43; 1854 p 365 s 16; RRS s 174.]

When two or more disabilities shall coexist at the time the right of action accrues, the limitation shall not attach until they all be removed.[Code 1881 s 43; 1877 p 10 s 44; 1854 p 365 s 17; RRS s 175.]

When any payment has been or shall be made upon any existing contract prior to its applicable limitation period having expired, whether the contract is a bill of exchange, promissory note, bond, or other evidence of indebtedness, if the payment is made after it is due, the limita…

No acknowledgment or promise shall be sufficient evidence of a new or continuing contract whereby to take the case out of the operation of this chapter, unless it is contained in some writing signed by the party to be charged thereby; except, an acknowledgment or promise made aft…

When the cause of action has arisen in another state, territory or country between nonresidents of this state, and by the laws of the state, territory or country where the action arose, an action cannot be maintained thereon by reason of the lapse of time, no action shall be main…

RCW 4.16.300 through 4.16.320 shall apply to all claims or causes of action of any kind against any person, arising from such person having constructed, altered or repaired any improvement upon real property, or having performed or furnished any design, planning, surveying, archi…

All claims or causes of action as set forth in RCW 4.16.300 shall accrue, and the applicable statute of limitation shall begin to run only during the period within six years after substantial completion of construction, or during the period within six years after the termination …

Nothing in RCW 4.16.300 through 4.16.320 shall be construed as extending the period now permitted by law for bringing any kind of action.[ 1967 c 75 s 3.]

If a written notice of claim is served under RCW 64.50.020 within the time prescribed for the filing of an action under this chapter, the statutes of limitations for construction-related claims are tolled until sixty days after the period of time during which the filing of an act…

(1) Persons engaged in any activity defined in RCW 4.16.300 may be excused, in whole or in part, from any obligation, damage, loss, or liability for those defined activities under the principles of comparative fault for the following affirmative defenses:(a) To the extent it is c…

Any person, including but not limited to contractors, builders, tradespeople, and other providers of construction, remodel, or repair services, who, without compensation or the expectation of compensation, renders emergency repairs to any structure at the scene of any accident, d…

(1) All claims or causes of action based on intentional conduct brought by any person for recovery of damages for injury suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse that occurred before June 6, 2024, shall be commenced within the later of the following periods:(a) Within three…

Any civil action for damages for injury occurring as a result of health care which is provided after June 25, 1976, against:(1) A person licensed by this state to provide health care or related services, including, but not limited to, a physician, osteopathic physician, dentist, …

This chapter does not limit the time in which an action for determination of parentage may be brought under chapter 26.26A or 26.26B RCW.[ 2019 c 46 s 5001; 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 s 13.]Notes:Severability—1983 1st ex.s. c 41: See note following RCW 26.09.060.

The statute of limitations for actions against a personal representative or trustee for breach of fiduciary duties is as set forth in RCW 11.96A.070.[ 1999 c 42 s 602; 1985 c 11 s 3. Prior: 1984 c 149 s 2.]Notes:Effective date—1999 c 42: See RCW 11.96A.902.Short title—Application…

As used in this chapter:(1) "Claim" means a right of action that may be asserted in a civil action or proceeding and includes a right of action created by statute.(2) "State" means a state, commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the…

(1) Except as provided by RCW 4.18.040, if a claim is substantively based:(a) Upon the law of one other state, the limitation period of that state applies; or(b) Upon the law of more than one state, the limitation period of one of those states, chosen by the law of conflict of la…

If the statute of limitations of another state applies to the assertion of a claim in this state, the other state's relevant statutes and other rules of law governing tolling and accrual apply in computing the limitation period, but its statutes and other rules of law governing c…

If the court determines that the limitation period of another state applicable under RCW 4.18.020 and 4.18.030 is substantially different from the limitation period of this state and has not afforded a fair opportunity to sue upon, or imposes an unfair burden in defending against…

This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Conflict of Laws—Limitations Act.[ 1983 c 152 s 7.]

This chapter applies to claims:(1) Accruing after July 24, 1983; or(2) Asserted in a civil action or proceeding more than one year after July 24, 1983, but it does not revive a claim barred before July 24, 1983.[ 1983 c 152 s 5.]

This chapter shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this chapter among states enacting it.[ 1983 c 152 s 6.]

Words in RCW 4.20.010, 4.20.020, and 4.20.030 denoting the singular shall be understood as belonging to a plurality of persons or things. The masculine shall apply also to the feminine, and the word person shall also apply to bodies politic and corporate.[ 1917 c 123 s 3; RRS s 1…

(1) When the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person, his or her personal representative may maintain an action against the person causing the death for the economic and noneconomic damages sustained by the beneficiaries listed in RC…

Every action under RCW 4.20.010 shall be for the benefit of the spouse, state registered domestic partner, child or children, including stepchildren, of the person whose death shall have been so caused. If there is no spouse, state registered domestic partner, or such child or ch…

RCW 4.20.005, 4.20.010, and 4.20.020 shall not repeal or supersede chapter 74 of the Laws of 1911 [Title 51 RCW] and acts amendatory thereof, or any part thereof.[ 1917 c 123 s 5; RRS s 183-3.]

(1) All causes of action by a person or persons against another person or persons shall survive to the personal representatives of the former and against the personal representatives of the latter, whether such actions arise on contract or otherwise, and whether or not such actio…

No action shall abate by the death, marriage, or other disability of the party, or by the transfer of any interest therein, if the cause of action survives or continues; but the court may at any time within one year thereafter, on motion, allow the action to be continued by or ag…

(1) No action for a personal injury to any person occasioning death shall abate, nor shall such right of action terminate, by reason of such death, if such person has a surviving spouse, state registered domestic partner, or child living, including stepchildren, or if leaving no …

In an action based on fault seeking to recover damages for injury or death to person or harm to property, any contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages for an injury attributable to the claimant's contribut…

"Fault" includes acts or omissions, including misuse of a product, that are in any measure negligent or reckless toward the person or property of the actor or others, or that subject a person to strict tort liability or liability on a product liability claim. The term also includ…

The contributory fault of one spouse or one domestic partner shall not be imputed to the other spouse or other domestic partner or the minor child of the spouse or domestic partner to diminish recovery in an action by the other spouse or other domestic partner or the minor child …

Except as otherwise provided in RCW 4.22.070, if more than one person is liable to a claimant on an indivisible claim for the same injury, death or harm, the liability of such persons shall be joint and several.[ 1986 c 305 s 402; 1981 c 27 s 11.]Notes:Preamble—Report to legislat…

(1) A right of contribution exists between or among two or more persons who are jointly and severally liable upon the same indivisible claim for the same injury, death or harm, whether or not judgment has been recovered against all or any of them. It may be enforced either in the…

(1) If the comparative fault of the parties to a claim for contribution has been established previously by the court in the original action, a party paying more than that party's equitable share of the obligation, upon motion, may recover judgment for contribution.(2) If the comp…

(1) A party prior to entering into a release, covenant not to sue, covenant not to enforce judgment, or similar agreement with a claimant shall give five days' written notice of such intent to all other parties and the court. The court may for good cause authorize a shorter notic…

(1) In all actions involving fault of more than one entity, the trier of fact shall determine the percentage of the total fault which is attributable to every entity which caused the claimant's damages except entities immune from liability to the claimant under Title 51 RCW. The …

This act takes effect as of 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 1974.[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 138 s 3.]

(1) Chapter 27, Laws of 1981 shall apply to all claims arising on or after July 26, 1981.(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, RCW 4.22.040, 4.22.050, and 4.22.060 shall also apply to all actions in which trial on the underlying action has not taken place prior to J…

In accordance with section 15(1), chapter 27, Laws of 1981, the repeal of RCW 4.22.010 by section 17, chapter 27, Laws of 1981 applies only to claims arising on or after July 26, 1981. RCW 4.22.010 shall continue to apply to claims arising prior to July 26, 1981.[ 1982 c 100 s 3.…

Any party charged with the payment of attorney's fees in any tort action may petition the court not later than forty-five days of receipt of a final billing or accounting for a determination of the reasonableness of that party's attorneys' fees. The court shall make such a determ…

(1) A parent or legal guardian who has regularly contributed to the support of his or her minor child, and a parent or legal guardian who has had significant involvement in the life of an adult child, may maintain or join as a party an action as plaintiff for the injury or death …

A father or mother, may maintain an action as plaintiff for the seduction of a child, and the guardian for the seduction of a ward, though the child or the ward be not living with or in the service of the plaintiff at the time of the seduction or afterwards, and there be no loss …

Except as provided in RCW 76.04.760, if any person shall for any lawful purpose kindle a fire upon his or her own land, he or she shall do it at such time and in such manner, and shall take such care of it to prevent it from spreading and doing damage to other persons' property, …

Persons engaged in driving lumber upon any waters or streams of this state, may kindle fires when necessary for the purposes in which they are engaged, but shall be bound to use the utmost caution to prevent the same from spreading and doing damage; and if they fail so to do, the…

The common law right to an action for damages done by fires, is not taken away or diminished by RCW 4.24.040, 4.24.050, and 4.24.060. However:(1) Any person availing himself or herself of the provisions of RCW 4.24.040 , shall be barred of his or her action at common law for the …