What is the statute of limitations for civil actions?

In Washington, the statute of limitations for civil actions is the time limit on when the action can be brought to court. In general, this time limit is three years from when the claim first arose. This means that you must file a lawsuit, or serve the defendant with a summons and complaint, within three years of when the claim arose. However, there are certain exceptions to this three year limit. For example, if the claim is related to a contract, the statute of limitations is extended to six years from when the claim arose. Furthermore, the statute of limitations is extended to six years for claims that involve fraud or misrepresentation on the part of the defendant. Additionally, for certain types of damages, such as punitive damages, there is no statute of limitations. Finally, it is important to note that the statute of limitations can be paused or tolled. This means that if the defendant is not in the state or is otherwise not able to be served with a summons, the time limit is paused, and the clock starts running again when they are able to be served with a summons. In general, it is important to be mindful of the statute of limitations, as it can prevent you from bringing your claim to court if you wait too long. If you are unsure about whether or not the statute of limitations applies to your case, it is important to consult a lawyer.

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What is the statute of limitations for civil actions?

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