Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Seattle, Washington Area - Statute of Limitations

Washington State medical malpractice law dictates that a claim must be filed no more than three years after the incident that gave rise to an allegation of malpractice, or the act of negligence or omission that caused injury or death to a patient. However, there are circumstances which may lead to an extension of this statute of limitations for certain claimants. The medical malpractice lawyers at the Seattle, Washington area firm of Phillips & Webster have provided the following information to help victims of medical error better understand their rights. If you feel that you or someone you love may have been affected by medical malpractice, contact our lawyers in Washington State today for a consultation. We will help you understand your legal rights and file a claim before your eligibility for compensation expires.

• The Discovery Rule for Statute of Limitations
• Minors and Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations

The Discovery Rule for Statute of Limitations

Washington State medical malpractice statute of limitation laws were written with the knowledge that sometimes, the existence of medical negligence is not immediately apparent. For example, in cases of cancer misdiagnosis or the failure to diagnose a disease or condition, the patient and his or her family may not know an error has occurred until a correct diagnosis is made. This could take years, especially if the patient is not aware that his or her diagnosis was incorrect to begin with. Our medical malpractice lawyers in the Seattle, Washington area are also familiar with surgical error cases where the patient is unaware that a surgeon has left a foreign object inside of them, and this error is not discovered until years later when serious medical problems arise.

Tragically, sometimes medical professionals, hospitals, and/or insurance companies work in collusion to hide medical malpractice from patients who are affected. This, and other circumstances, such as the delayed presentation of symptoms, may provide grounds for an extension of the statute of limitations for a particular claim. The discovery rule for medical malpractice claims tried by lawyers in Washington States that the statute of limitations begins when the alleged negligence is first known, but that a claim must be filed no later than eight years after the incident.

If you suspect that you may have been the victim of medical malpractice, our lawyers in Seattle, Bellevue, and Woodinville, Washington can help. Contact our law firm today for a complimentary discussion of your case.

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Minors and Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Washington does not begin for a minor until he or she reaches the age of 18. At this time, any previous knowledge the alleged victim's parents or guardian may have had regarding a medical error will be imparted to that victim. He or she may then decide whether to file a claim.

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Contact Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Seattle, Washington

While not every instance of unsatisfactory medical results is the product of medical malpractice, it is important for patients to investigate potentially negligent acts as soon as they become suspicious, lest they forfeit their right to compensation by exceeding the statute of limitations. The medical malpractice lawyers at Phillips & Webster can help patients and families who suspect medical error to investigate their cases in a thorough and timely manner. If you suspect that you or someone you love has suffered harm as the result of medical malpractice, contact our lawyers based in Seattle, Washington, with additional offices in Bellevue and Woodinville.

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