People's Justice

Washington · Fire loss claim: what can I do?

Fire loss claim: what can I do?

See If You Qualify

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Filing deadline3 years from discovery of injury or damageRCW § 4.16.080

Deadlines vary with the facts of each case. A lawyer can confirm yours.

Updated

01 · Your filing deadline

What is the deadline in Washington?

Washington: 3 years for personal injury and property damage (RCW § 4.16.080). Discovery rule applies. Claims against local government entities must be presented within the limitations period, and suit cannot begin until 60 days after the claim is presented (RCW § 4.96.020). A lawyer can confirm yours.

3 years from discovery of injury or damage

Source: RCW § 4.16.080

Deadlines vary; a lawyer can confirm yours. An older diagnosis or a past filing window does not, by itself, establish whether you have a claim.

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A lawyer can check which filing rules apply to your circumstances.

02 · Where cases are heard

Where would my case be heard?

Washington State faces growing wildfire risk as climate change extends fire seasons and pushes fires into the wildland-urban interface. The 2022 Bolt Creek Fire and recurrent Spokane-area fires have generated utility negligence claims against Puget Sound Energy and Avista Utilities. Washington's strict liability theories under product liability law and strong consumer protection statutes provide additional avenues for wildfire claimants beyond standard negligence.

Wildfire claims in Washington are filed in King County Superior Court (Seattle), Chelan County (central Washington fire zones), and Spokane County, as well as the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington federal courts. Washington follows a pure comparative fault system (RCW § 4.22.005) where plaintiff recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault but not barred at any threshold. Washington does not cap compensatory damages in negligence cases. The state's Consumer Protection Act (RCW § 19.86) may provide additional remedies including treble damages for utility conduct that constitutes unfair or deceptive practices. Eastern Washington's dry climate and interface development make Chelan and Spokane counties frequent wildfire venues.

How this works nationally

For the overall process and updates, read the Fire loss claim: what can I do? overview. This page covers the local information available for Washington.

What happens when I check?

You answer a few short questions about what happened. If you send them, your answers are kept on file. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you. People's Justice is not a law firm.

Live in Washington? Read what applies in your state.

Register your interest. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you.

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Sources

  1. RCW § 4.16.080