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Washington: rules and deadlines at a glance
Every 10 topic we track for Washington on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how Washington compares.
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Malpractice rules · Small claims limits · Small estate limits · Debt time limits · Shared fault rules · Medicaid expansion · ACA marketplace · Claim deadlines · Estate and inheritance tax
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.
| Medical malpractice | 3 years (or 1 from discovery) |
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| Wrongful death | 3 years |
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| Damage cap | No cap (struck down in 1989) |
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| Expert affidavit or certificate | Not required (certificate of merit struck down in 2009) |
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| Before you sue | Mandatory mediation before trial (pre-suit notice rule struck down in 2010) |
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| Dollar limit | $10,000 (individuals); $5,000 (others) |
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| Filing fee | $35 or $50 |
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| Lawyers | Only with the judge's consent |
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| Small estate limit | $100,000 |
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| Wait after death | 40 days |
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| Real estate | No |
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| Credit cards / open accounts | 6 years |
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| Written contracts | 6 years |
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| Promissory notes | 6 years |
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| Rule | Pure comparative negligence |
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| When you are barred | Up to 99% at fault: damages reduced by your share |
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| Expanded? | Yes |
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| Since | Jan. 1, 2014 |
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| Marketplace type | State-run marketplace |
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| Where to enroll | Washington Healthplanfinder |
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| Acknowledge | 10 working days |
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| Accept or deny | 30 calendar days from notice of the claim (rules effective Oct. 18, 2026) |
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| Pay | Not set by rule |
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| Estate tax | Yes: estates over $3,000,000, taxed at 10%-20% |
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| Inheritance tax | No inheritance tax |
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