What is a “statute of limitations” defense to a product liability claim?

A “statute of limitations” defense to a product liability claim is a legal term used in Washington to refer to the amount of time an injured party has to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a dangerous product. Under the state’s dangerous products law, a person injured by a product has three years from the date the injury occurred to file a claim in court. The purpose of the statute of limitations is to ensure that any claims arising from a product’s use are brought in a timely fashion and are based on fresh evidence. If a claim is not filed within three years, the injured party will likely not be able to bring a case against the manufacturer. Statutes of limitations also protect manufacturers from the burden of having to defend against stale claims and evidence. This can be especially important in cases involving defective products since information about the product’s defect may no longer be accessible or relevant after three years. Ultimately, the statute of limitations defense is an important part of Washington’s dangerous products law. It encourages people to bring their product liability claims in a timely manner and protects manufacturers from defending against claims that are too old to prove.

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What is a “statute of limitations” defense to a product liability claim?

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