Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations
Medical Malpractice Claims
Justice and Compensation
- Obstetrical Malpractice
- Erbs Palsy
- Klumpke's Palsy
- Cancer Misdiagnosis
- Emergency Room Mistakes
- Misread Lab Tests
- Misread MRI's
- Dental Malpractice
Malpractice Claim Info
Seattle, Renton, Woodinville and Mountlake Terrace
Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Seattle, Washington Area - Statute of Limitations
Experienced Statute of Limitations Attorneys in Medical Malpractice Cases
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.
Attorneys Representing Medical Malpractice Victims
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.
Minors and Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations in Washington
Washington law states that a parent’s knowledge of medical malpractice will be imparted to the minor and will operate to bar the minor’s claim to the same extent that the claim of an adult would be barred. Therefore, medical malpractice cases for minors must be commenced within three years of the date of medical error, or within one year of the time the parents reasonably should have discovered the medical error, whichever period expires later.
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 our additional office in Woodinville.