Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the time within which you may bring a claim in court. In Washington, many of the statutes of limitations can be found in Chapter 4.16 RCW. For example, an action upon a written contract must be brought within six years; an action for trespass upon real property must be brought within three years; and a civil action for slander must be brought within two years.
The statute of limitations for some claims can be found buried in the statute that creates the claim. For example, an action to foreclose on a materialmen’s lien must be commenced within eight months of recording of the lien. RCW 60.04.141.
Not all limitations periods begin to run upon the happening of some event. For example, the time within which to bring certain personal injury claims begins to run when the harm is “discovered” as opposed to when the harm actually occurred.
In order to preserve your right to bring a claim, consult with an attorney who can advise you of any statute of limitations, otherwise, the opportunity to bring your claim may pass you by.
