State laws dictate the statute of limitations, with each state establishing unique time frames for similar causes of action. Even within a single state, various causes of action carry distinct limitations. In Washington, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits spans three years.

Individuals might discover they have more than three years from the incident causing the injury due to:

• Latent injuries: Some injuries, such as those stemming from surgical malpractice or adverse drug effects, may not manifest immediately, becoming apparent only after several years.
• Incapacitation: If the victim is incapacitated following the injury event, that period of incapacity doesn't count towards the time limit.

Statute of Limitations