What is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims?
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Washington is three years from the date of the incident that caused the injury or death. This means that an individual has three years to file a claim in court. In some cases, the statute of limitations may be extended some additional time, depending on when the injury or death was discovered. If a person is not aware that the injury or death was caused by medical malpractice, the statute of limitations may begin to run from the date of the discovery of the alleged malpractice, rather than the date of the injury or death. However, this extension may not be available if there is reason to believe that the injury or death could have been discovered sooner. Finally, it is important to note that the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice claim in Washington may be shorter for persons under the age of 18, since minors cannot file for themselves and must wait for a parent or guardian to act on their behalf. It is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure the statute of limitations does not run out before you are able to bring a claim.
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