Statutes of limitations are deadlines for filing specific types of claims in court, in arbitration, or in other legal proceedings. Statutes of limitations generally require a person or entity to file a lawsuit or initiate an arbitration proceeding within a certain number of years from the date the cause of action accrues or arises—often the date of the injury, whether a physical injury or a breach of contract, for example.

The discovery rule is a judge-made exception to statutes of limitations that stops or “tolls” the limitations period from beginning to run until the person with the right to assert the claim (the plaintiff) has sufficient knowledge to discover the facts regarding the injury or breach.

Similarly, a statute of limitations may be suspended or “tolled”—extending the time period in which the plaintiff may file a lawsuit or make a claim—if the plaintiff lacks the legal capacity to file a lawsuit or make a claim when the cause of action accrues (the person is under a legal disability). For example, if a person’s cause of action accrues when the person is a minor child, the statute of limitations will often by tolled until the child reaches the age of majority (often 18).

In Washington State, statutes of limitations set deadlines for filing various types of legal claims. These time limits vary depending on the nature of the claim. For instance, personal injury claims typically have a three-year statute of limitations, while written contracts have a six-year limit. The discovery rule in Washington can toll the statute of limitations, meaning the clock starts ticking when the plaintiff discovers or should have reasonably discovered the injury or breach, not necessarily when it occurred. This rule is particularly relevant in cases where the harm is not immediately apparent. Additionally, the statute of limitations may be tolled for individuals who are legally incapacitated at the time the cause of action accrues. For example, if the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations generally does not begin until they reach the age of majority, which is 18 years old in Washington. It's important for anyone considering legal action to consult with an attorney to understand the specific time limits that apply to their case.