RCW 4.44.130 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 130
RCW 4.44.130: Challenges—Kind and number.
Status: in_force

Either party may challenge the jurors. The challenge shall be to individual jurors, and be peremptory or for cause. Each party shall be entitled to three peremptory challenges. When there is more than one party on either side, the parties need not join in a challenge for cause; but, they shall join in a peremptory challenge before it can be made. If the court finds that there is a conflict of interests between parties on the same side, the court may allow each conflicting party up to three peremptory challenges.
RCW 4.24.510 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 510
RCW 4.24.510: Communication to government agency or self-regulatory organization—Immunity from civil liability.
Status: in_force

A person who communicates a complaint or information to any branch or agency of federal, state, or local government, or to any self-regulatory organization that regulates persons involved in the securities or futures business and that has been delegated authority by a federal, state, or local government agency and is subject to oversight by the delegating agency, is immune from civil liability for claims based upon the communication to the agency or organization regarding any matter reasonably of concern to that agency or organization. A person prevailing upon the defense provided for in this section is entitled to recover expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in establishing the defense and in addition shall receive statutory damages of ten thousand dollars. Statutory damages may be denied if the court finds that the complaint or information was communicated in bad faith.
RCW 4.24.470 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 470
RCW 4.24.470: Liability of officials and members of governing body of public agency—Definitions.
Status: in_force

(1) An appointed or elected official or member of the governing body of a public agency is immune from civil liability for damages for any discretionary decision or failure to make a discretionary decision within his or her official capacity, but liability shall remain on the public agency for the tortious conduct of its officials or members of the governing body. (2) For purposes of this section: (a) "Public agency" means any state agency, board, commission, department, institution of higher education, school district, political subdivision, or unit of local government of this state including but not limited to municipal corporations, quasi-municipal corporations, special purpose districts, and local service districts. (b) "Governing body" means the policy-making body of a public agency.
RCW 23B.18.020 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 18 / Section 020
RCW 23B.18.020: Mortgage foreclosure.
Status: in_force

Such nonadmitted organizations shall have the right to foreclose such mortgages under the laws of this state or to receive voluntary conveyance in lieu of foreclosure, and in the course of such foreclosure or of such receipt of conveyance in lieu of foreclosure, to acquire the mortgaged property, and to hold and own such property and to dispose thereof. Such nonadmitted organizations however, shall not be allowed to hold, own, and operate said property for a period exceeding five years. In the event said nonadmitted organizations do hold, own, and operate said property for a period in excess of five years, it shall be forthwith required to appoint an agent as required by RCW 23B.15.070 and Article 4 of chapter 23.95 RCW for foreign corporations doing business in this state.(1) Except as provided by RCW 4.18.040 , if a claim is substantively based: (a) Upon the law of one other state, the limitation period of that state applies; or (b) Upon the law of more than one state, the limitation period of one of those states, chosen by the law of conflict of laws of this state, applies. (2) The limitation period of this state applies to all other claims.
RCW 4.14.020 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 14 / Section 020
RCW 4.14.020: Petition for removal—Contents—Filing—Notice.
Status: in_force

(1) A defendant or defendants desiring to remove any civil action from a justice court as authorized by RCW 4.14.010 shall file in the superior court in the county where such action is pending, a verified petition containing a short and plain statement of the facts which entitle him, her, or them to removal together with a copy of all process, pleadings and orders served upon him, her, or them in such action. (2) The petition for removal of a civil action or proceeding shall be filed within twenty days after the receipt by the defendant, through service or otherwise, of a copy of the initial pleading setting forth the claim for relief upon which such action or proceeding is based. If the case stated by the initial pleading is not removable, a petition for removal may be filed within twenty days after receipt by the defendant, through service or otherwise, of a copy of an amended pleading, motion, order, or other paper, including the defendant's answer, from which it may first be ascertained that the case is or has become removable. (3) Promptly after the filing of such petition the defendant or defendants shall give written notice thereof to all adverse parties and shall file a copy of the petition with the justice court, which shall effect the removal and the justice court shall proceed no further unless and until the case is remanded.
RCW 42.08.100 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 08 / Section 100
RCW 42.08.100: Approval and filing.
Status: in_force

The official bonds of officers shall be approved and filed as follows, to wit: The official bond of the secretary of state shall be approved by the governor and filed in the office of the state auditor. The official bonds of all other state officers required by law to give bonds, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, shall be approved by the governor and filed in the office of the secretary of state. The official bonds of all county and township officers, except the county superintendent of schools, shall be approved by the board of county commissioners, if in session, and if not in session, by the chair of such board, and filed and recorded in the office of the county clerk of their respective counties: PROVIDED, That the bond of the county clerk shall be recorded in the office of the county auditor and filed in the office of the county treasurer.In any action brought for the recovery of the purchase money against any person holding a contract for the purchase of lands, the party bound to perform the contract, if not the plaintiff, may be made a party, and the court in a final judgment may order the interest of purchaser to be sold or transferred to the plaintiff upon such terms as may be just, and may also order a specific performance of the contract in favor of the complainant, or the purchaser, in case a sale be ordered.
RCW 4.24.080 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 080
RCW 4.24.080: Action to recover leased premises used for gambling.
Status: in_force

It shall be lawful for any person letting or renting any house, room, shop, or other building whatsoever, or any boat, booth, garden, or other place, which shall, at any time, be used by the lessee or occupant thereof, or any other person, with his or her knowledge or consent, for gambling purposes, upon discovery thereof, to avoid and terminate such lease, or contract of occupancy, and to recover immediate possession of the premises by an action at law for that purpose.
RCW 4.84.290 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 290
RCW 4.84.290: Attorneys' fees as costs in damage actions of ten thousand dollars or less—Prevailing party on appeal.
Status: in_force

If the case is appealed, the prevailing party on appeal shall be considered the prevailing party for the purpose of applying the provisions of RCW 4.84.250 : PROVIDED, That if, on appeal, a retrial is ordered, the court ordering the retrial shall designate the prevailing party, if any, for the purpose of applying the provisions of RCW 4.84.250 . In addition, if the prevailing party on appeal would be entitled to attorneys' fees under the provisions of RCW 4.84.250 , the court deciding the appeal shall allow to the prevailing party such additional amount as the court shall adjudge reasonable as attorneys' fees for the appeal.
RCW 4.92.210 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 210
RCW 4.92.210: Risk management—Review of claims—Settlements.
Status: in_force

(1) All liability claims arising out of tortious conduct or under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981 et seq. that the state of Washington or any of its officers, employees, or volunteers would be liable for shall be filed with the office of risk management. (2) A centralized claim tracking system shall be maintained to provide agencies with accurate and timely data on the status of liability claims. Information in this claim file, other than the claim itself, shall be privileged and confidential. (3) Standardized procedures shall be established for filing, reporting, processing, and adjusting claims, which includes the use of qualified claims management personnel. (4) All claims shall be reviewed by the office of risk management to determine an initial valuation, to delegate to the appropriate office to investigate, negotiate, compromise, and settle the claim, or to retain that responsibility on behalf of and with the assistance of the affected state agency. (5) All claims that result in a lawsuit shall be forwarded to the attorney general's office. Thereafter the attorney general and the office of risk management shall collaborate in the investigation, denial, or settlement of the claim. (6) Reserves shall be established for recognizing financial liability and monitoring effectiveness. The valuation of specific claims against the state shall be privileged and confidential. (7) All settlements shall be approved by the responsible agencies, or their designees, prior to settlement.
RCW 4.24.640 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 640
RCW 4.24.640: Firearm safety program liability.
Status: in_force

No person who owns, operates, is employed by, or volunteers at a program approved under RCW 77.32.155 shall be liable for any injury that occurs while the person who suffered the injury is participating in the course, unless the injury is the result of gross negligence.
RCW 4.18.902 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 18 / Section 902
RCW 4.18.902: Uniformity of application and construction of chapter.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this chapter among states enacting it.
RCW 4.24.220 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 220
RCW 4.24.220: Action for being detained on mercantile establishment premises for investigation—"Reasonable grounds" as defense.
Status: in_force

In any civil action brought by reason of any person having been detained on or in the immediate vicinity of the premises of a mercantile establishment for the purpose of investigation or questioning as to the ownership of any merchandise, it shall be a defense of such action that the person was detained in a reasonable manner and for not more than a reasonable time to permit such investigation or questioning by a peace officer or by the owner of the mercantile establishment, his or her authorized employee or agent, and that such peace officer, owner, employee, or agent had reasonable grounds to believe that the person so detained was committing or attempting to commit larceny or shoplifting on such premises of such merchandise. As used in this section, "reasonable grounds" shall include, but not be limited to, knowledge that a person has concealed possession of unpurchased merchandise of a mercantile establishment, and a "reasonable time" shall mean the time necessary to permit the person detained to make a statement or to refuse to make a statement, and the time necessary to examine employees and records of the mercantile establishment relative to the ownership of the merchandise.
RCW 19.72.090 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 72 / Section 090
RCW 19.72.090: Default by surety—Indemnity.
Status: in_force

No surety or his or her representative shall confess judgment or suffer judgment by default in any case where he or she is notified that there is a valid defense, if the principal will enter himself or herself defendant to the action and tender to the surety or his or her representatives good security to indemnify him or her, to be approved by the court.In all cases in which an application under this chapter to vacate or modify a judgment or order for the recovery of money is denied, if proceedings on the judgment or order shall have been suspended, judgment shall be rendered against the plaintiff [applicant] for the amount of the former judgment or order, interest and costs, together with damages at the discretion of the court, not exceeding ten percent on the amount of the judgment or order.
RCW 4.32.140 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 32 / Section 140
RCW 4.32.140: Setoff in probate actions against personal representatives.
Status: in_force

In actions against executors and administrators and against trustees and others, sued in their representative character, the defendants may set off demands belonging to their testators or intestates or those whom they represent, in the same manner as the person so represented would have been entitled to set off the same, in an action against them.
RCW 4.22.005 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 22 / Section 005
RCW 4.22.005: Effect of contributory fault.
Status: in_force

In an action based on fault seeking to recover damages for injury or death to person or harm to property, any contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages for an injury attributable to the claimant's contributory fault, but does not bar recovery. This rule applies whether or not under prior law the claimant's contributory fault constituted a defense or was disregarded under applicable legal doctrines, such as last clear chance.
RCW 4.56.090 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 090
RCW 4.56.090: Assignment of judgment—Filing.
Status: in_force

When any judgment has been assigned, the assignment may be filed in the office of the county clerk in the county where the judgment is recorded and a certified copy thereof may be filed in any county where an abstract of such judgment has been filed and from the time of such filing shall be notice of such assignment: PROVIDED, That such assignment of a judgment or such certified copy thereof, may not be filed unless it is properly acknowledged before an officer qualified by law to take acknowledgment of deeds.
RCW 4.28.210 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 210
RCW 4.28.210: Appearance, what constitutes.
Status: in_force

A defendant appears in an action when he or she answers, demurs, makes any application for an order therein, or gives the plaintiff written notice of his or her appearance. After appearance a defendant is entitled to notice of all subsequent proceedings; but when a defendant has not appeared, service of notice or papers in the ordinary proceedings in an action need not be made upon him or her. Every such appearance made in an action shall be deemed a general appearance, unless the defendant in making the same states that the same is a special appearance.
RCW 4.28.120 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 120
RCW 4.28.120: Publication of notice in eminent domain proceedings.
Status: in_force

If a party having or claiming a share or interest in or lien upon any property sought to be appropriated for public use be unknown, and such fact be made to appear by affidavit filed in the office of the clerk of the court, the notice required by law in such cases may be served by publication as in the case of nonresident owners, and such notice shall be directed by name to every owner of a share or interest in or lien upon the property sought to be so appropriated, and generally to all persons unknown having or claiming an interest or estate in the property or any portion thereof, and all such unknown parties shall in all papers and proceedings be designated as "unknown owners," and shall be bound by the provisions and be entitled to the benefits of the judgment the same as if they had been known and duly named.
RCW 4.92.020 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 020
RCW 4.92.020: Service of summons and complaint.
Status: in_force

Service of summons and complaint in such actions shall be served in the manner prescribed by law upon the attorney general, or by leaving the summons and complaint in the office of the attorney general with an assistant attorney general.
RCW 4.24.590 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 590
RCW 4.24.590: Liability of foster parents.
Status: in_force

In actions for personal injury or property damage commenced by foster children or their parents against foster parents licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW, the liability of foster parents for the care and supervision of foster children shall be the same as the liability of biological and adoptive parents for the care and supervision of their children.
RCW 4.56.070 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 070
RCW 4.56.070: Judgment in case of setoff—When exceeds plaintiff's debt—Effect of contract assignment.
Status: in_force

If there be found a balance due from the plaintiff in the action to the defendant, judgment shall be rendered in favor of the defendant for the amount thereof, but no such judgment shall be rendered against the plaintiff when the contract, which is the subject of the action, shall have been assigned before the commencement of such action, nor for any balance due from any other person than the plaintiff in the action.
RCW 4.24.355 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 355
RCW 4.24.355: Action by person removed from premises pursuant to RCW 9A.52.105—Damages, costs, attorneys' fees.
Status: in_force

All persons removed from premises pursuant to RCW 9A.52.105 on the basis of false statements made by a declarant pursuant to RCW 9A.52.115 shall have a cause of action to recover from the declarant for actual damages, together with costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
RCW 4.56.110 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 110
RCW 4.56.110: Interest on judgments.
Status: in_force

Interest on judgments shall accrue as follows: (1) Judgments founded on written contracts, providing for the payment of interest until paid at a specified rate, shall bear interest at the rate specified in the contracts: PROVIDED, That said interest rate is set forth in the judgment. (2) All judgments for unpaid child support that have accrued under a superior court order or an order entered under the administrative procedure act shall bear interest at the rate of twelve percent. (3)(a) Judgments founded on the tortious conduct of a "public agency" as defined in RCW 42.30.020 shall bear interest from the date of entry at two percentage points above the equivalent coupon issue yield, as published by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, of the average bill rate for twenty-six week treasury bills as determined at the first bill market auction conducted during the calendar month immediately preceding the date of entry. In any case where a court is directed on review to enter judgment on a verdict or in any case where a judgment entered on a verdict is wholly or partly affirmed on review, interest on the judgment or on that portion of the judgment affirmed shall date back to and shall accrue from the date the verdict was rendered. (b) Except as provided in (a) of this subsection, judgments founded on the tortious conduct of individuals or other entities, whether acting in their personal or representative capacities, shall bear interest from the date of entry at two percentage points above the prime rate, as published by the board of governors of the federal reserve system on the first business day of the calendar month immediately preceding the date of entry. In any case where a court is directed on review to enter judgment on a verdict or in any case where a judgment entered on a verdict is wholly or partly affirmed on review, interest on the judgment or on that portion of the judgment affirmed shall date back to and shall accrue from the date the verdict was rendered. (4) Except as provided under subsection (1) of this section, judgments for unpaid private student loan debt, as defined in RCW 6.01.060 , shall bear interest from the date of entry at two percentage points above the prime rate, as published by the board of governors of the federal reserve system on the first business day of the calendar month immediately preceding the date of entry. (5) Except as provided under subsection (1) of this section, judgments for unpaid consumer debt, as defined in RCW 6.01.060 , shall bear interest from the date of entry at a rate of nine percent. (6) Except as provided under subsections (1) through (5) of this section, judgments shall bear interest from the date of entry at the maximum rate permitted under RCW 19.52.020 on the date of entry thereof. In any case where a court is directed on review to enter judgment on a verdict or in any case where a judgment entered on a verdict is wholly or partly affirmed on review, interest on the judgment or on that portion of the judgment affirmed shall date back to and shall accrue from the date the verdict was rendered. The method for determining an interest rate prescribed by this subsection is also the method for determining the "rate applicable to civil judgments" for purposes of RCW 10.82.090 .
RCW 4.24.330 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 330
RCW 4.24.330: Action for damages caused by criminal street gang tagging and graffiti.
Status: in_force

(1) An adult or emancipated minor who commits criminal street gang tagging and graffiti under RCW 9A.48.105 by causing physical damage to the property of another is liable in addition to actual damages, for a penalty to the owner in the amount of the value of the damaged property not to exceed one thousand dollars, plus an additional penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars, plus all reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs expended by the owner. (2) A conviction for violation of RCW 9A.48.105 is not a condition precedent to maintenance of a civil action authorized by this section. (3) An owner demanding payment of a penalty under subsection (1) of this section shall give written notice to the person or persons from whom the penalty is sought.
RCW 4.48.020 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 48 / Section 020
RCW 4.48.020: Reference without consent.
Status: in_force

Where the parties do not consent, the court may upon the application of either party, direct a reference in all cases formerly cognizable in chancery in which reference might be made: (1) When the trial of an issue of fact shall require the examination of a long account on either side, in which case the referees may be directed to hear and decide the whole issue, or to report upon any specific question of fact involved therein; or, (2) When the taking of an account shall be necessary for the information of the court, before judgment upon an issue of law, or for carrying a judgment or order into effect; or, (3) When a question of fact other than upon the pleadings shall arise, upon motion or otherwise, in any stage of the action; or, (4) When it is necessary for the information of the court in a special proceeding.
RCW 4.16.230 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 16 / Section 230
RCW 4.16.230: Statute tolled by judicial proceedings.
Status: in_force

When the commencement of an action is stayed by injunction or a statutory prohibition, the time of the continuance of the injunction or prohibition shall not be a part of the time limited for the commencement of the action.
RCW 4.24.410 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 410
RCW 4.24.410: Police dogs—Immunity.
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Police dog" means a dog used by a law enforcement agency specially trained for law enforcement work and under the control of a dog handler. (b) "Accelerant detection dog" means a dog used exclusively for accelerant detection by the state fire marshal or a fire department and under the control of the state fire marshal or his or her designee or a fire department handler. (c) "Dog handler" means a law enforcement officer who has successfully completed training as prescribed by the Washington state criminal justice training commission in police dog handling, or in the case of an accelerant detection dog, the state fire marshal's designee or an employee of the fire department authorized by the fire chief to be the dog's handler. (d) "Lawful application of a police dog" means employment or specific use of a police dog as allowed by law. (2) Any dog handler who uses a police dog in the line of duty in good faith is immune from civil action for damages arising out of such use of the police dog or accelerant detection dog. (3) A state or local government or law enforcement agency is not strictly liable for damages resulting from the lawful application of a police dog.
RCW 4.24.450 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 450
RCW 4.24.450: Liability of operators for nuclear incidents—Definitions.
Status: in_force

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise the following definitions apply throughout RCW 4.24.460 : (1) "Nuclear incident" means any occurrence within this state causing, within or without this state, bodily injury, sickness, disease or death; loss or damage to property; or loss of use of property arising out of the resultant radioactive, toxic, explosive, or other hazardous properties of radioactive wastes being stored in or being transported to or from a waste repository in this state. (2) "Operator" means the entity or entities that have been given responsibility for constructing, operating, or monitoring waste repositories or transporting radioactive waste and may include the United States and its federal agencies. (3) "Radioactive waste" includes, but is not limited to, high-level radioactive waste, low-level radioactive waste, transuranic radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, and radioactive defense waste. It does not include de minimis radioactive waste. (4) "Spent nuclear fuel" means fuel that has been withdrawn from a nuclear reactor following irradiation, the constituent elements of which have not been separated by reprocessing. (5) "Waste repository" means any system which is intended or may be used for the disposal or storage of radioactive waste including permanent disposal systems, interim storage systems, monitored retrievable storage systems, defense waste storage systems, test and evaluation facilities, or similar systems.
RCW 4.20.060 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 20 / Section 060
RCW 4.20.060: Action for personal injury survives.
Status: in_force

(1) No action for a personal injury to any person occasioning death shall abate, nor shall such right of action terminate, by reason of such death, if such person has a surviving spouse, state registered domestic partner, or child living, including stepchildren, or if leaving no surviving spouse, state registered domestic partner, or children, the person has surviving parents or siblings. (2) An action under this section shall be brought by the personal representative of the deceased, in favor of the surviving spouse or state registered domestic partner, or in favor of the surviving spouse or state registered domestic partner and children, or if no surviving spouse or state registered domestic partner, in favor of the child or children, or if no surviving spouse, state registered domestic partner, or a child or children, then in favor of the decedent's parents or siblings. (3) In addition to recovering the decedent's economic losses under this section, the persons listed in subsection (1) of this section are entitled to recover damages for the decedent's pain and suffering, anxiety, emotional distress, or humiliation, in such amounts as determined by a trier of fact to be just under all the circumstances of the case.
RCW 4.22.050 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 22 / Section 050
RCW 4.22.050: Enforcement of contribution.
Status: in_force

(1) If the comparative fault of the parties to a claim for contribution has been established previously by the court in the original action, a party paying more than that party's equitable share of the obligation, upon motion, may recover judgment for contribution. (2) If the comparative fault of the parties to the claim for contribution has not been established by the court in the original action, contribution may be enforced in a separate action, whether or not a judgment has been rendered against either the person seeking contribution or the person from whom contribution is being sought. (3) If a judgment has been rendered, the action for contribution must be commenced within one year after the judgment becomes final. If no judgment has been rendered, the person bringing the action for contribution either must have (a) discharged by payment the common liability within the period of the statute of limitations applicable to the claimant's right of action against him or her and commenced the action for contribution within one year after payment, or (b) agreed while the action was pending to discharge the common liability and, within one year after the agreement, have paid the liability and commenced an action for contribution.
RCW 4.22.900 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 22 / Section 900
RCW 4.22.900: Effective date—1973 1st ex.s. c 138.
Status: in_force

This act takes effect as of 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 1974.
RCW 4.84.350 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 350
RCW 4.84.350: Judicial review of agency action—Award of fees and expenses.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, a court shall award a qualified party that prevails in a judicial review of an agency action fees and other expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, unless the court finds that the agency action was substantially justified or that circumstances make an award unjust. A qualified party shall be considered to have prevailed if the qualified party obtained relief on a significant issue that achieves some benefit that the qualified party sought. (2) The amount awarded a qualified party under subsection (1) of this section shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply unless all parties challenging the agency action are qualified parties. If two or more qualified parties join in an action, the award in total shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. The court, in its discretion, may reduce the amount to be awarded pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, or deny any award, to the extent that a qualified party during the course of the proceedings engaged in conduct that unduly or unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy.
RCW 4.36.240 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 36 / Section 240
RCW 4.36.240: Harmless error disregarded.
Status: in_force

The court shall, in every stage of an action, disregard any error or defect in pleadings or proceedings which shall not affect the substantial rights of the adverse party, and no judgment shall be reversed or affected by reason of such error or defect.
RCW 4.48.080 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 48 / Section 080
RCW 4.48.080: Proceedings on filing of report.
Status: in_force

The report of a referee appointed by the court under RCW 4.48.020 shall be filed with the clerk within twenty days after the trial concludes. Either party may, within such time as may be prescribed by the rules of court, or by special order, move to set the same aside, or for judgment thereon, or such order or proceeding as the nature of the case may require.
RCW 4.24.404 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 404
RCW 4.24.404: Removal of vulnerable person or domestic animal from motor vehicle—Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 4.24.406 unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Domestic animal" means a dog, cat, or other animal that is domesticated and may be kept as a household pet. The term does not include livestock or other farm animals. (2) "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 46.04.320 . (3) "Vulnerable person" means a person under the age of 18 years or a person whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living or to provide for their own care or protection is impaired due to a mental, emotional, sensory, long-term physical, or developmental disability or dysfunction, or brain damage, or the infirmities of aging.
RCW 4.44.370 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 370
RCW 4.44.370: Manner of giving verdict.
Status: in_force

The jurors shall be asked by the court or the clerk whether they have agreed upon their verdict, and if the presiding juror answers in the affirmative, the presiding juror shall submit the verdict to the court.
RCW 4.48.050 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 48 / Section 050
RCW 4.48.050: Challenges to referees.
Status: in_force

If a referee is appointed by the court, each party shall have the same right to challenge the appointment. Challenges shall be made and determined in the same manner and with like effect as in the formation of juries, except that neither party shall be entitled to a peremptory challenge.
RCW 4.24.611 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 611
RCW 4.24.611: Product liability/hazardous substance claims—Public right to information—Confidentiality—Damages, costs, attorneys' fees—Repeal.
Status: repealed

As used in RCW 4.24.601 and this section: (1)(a) "Product liability/hazardous substance claim" means a claim for damages for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage caused by a product or hazardous or toxic substances, that is an alleged hazard to the public and that presents an alleged risk of similar injury to other members of the public. (b) "Confidentiality provision" means any terms in a court order or a private agreement settling, concluding, or terminating a product liability/hazardous substance claim, that limit the possession, disclosure, or dissemination of information about an alleged hazard to the public, whether those terms are integrated in the order or private agreement or written separately. (c) "Members of the public" includes any individual, group of individuals, partnership, corporation, or association. (2) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, members of the public have a right to information necessary for a lay member of the public to understand the nature, source, and extent of the risk from alleged hazards to the public. (3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, members of the public have a right to the protection of trade secrets as defined in RCW 19.108.010 , other confidential research, development, or commercial information concerning products or business methods. (4)(a) Nothing in this chapter shall limit the issuance of any protective or discovery orders during the course of litigation pursuant to court rules. (b) Confidentiality provisions may be entered into or ordered or enforced by the court only if the court finds, based on the evidence, that the confidentiality provision is in the public interest. In determining the public interest, the court shall balance the right of the public to information regarding the alleged risk to the public from the product or substance as provided in subsection (2) of this section against the right of the public to protect the confidentiality of information as provided in subsection (3) of this section. (5)(a) Any confidentiality provisions that are not adopted consistent with the provisions of this section are voidable by the court. (b) Any confidentiality provisions that are determined to be void are severable from the remainder of the order or agreement notwithstanding any provision to the contrary and the remainder of the order or agreement shall remain in force. (c) Nothing in RCW 4.24.601 and this section prevents the court from denying the request for confidentiality provisions under other law nor limits the scope of discovery pursuant to applicable court rules. (6) In cases of third party actions challenging confidentiality provisions in orders or agreements, the court has discretion to award to the prevailing party actual damages, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, and such other terms as the court deems just. (7) The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed on May 1, 1994: (a) RCW 4.24.600 and 1993 c 17 s 1 ; (b) RCW 4.24.610 and 1993 c 17 s 2 ; (c) RCW 4.24.620 and 1993 c 17 s 3 ; (d) RCW 4.16.380 and 1993 c 17 s 5 ; and (e) 1993 c 17 s 4 (uncodified).
RCW 4.80.030 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 80 / Section 030
RCW 4.80.030: Requisites—Entry in minutes.
Status: in_force

Exceptions to any ruling upon an objection to the admission of evidence, offered in the course of a trial or hearing, need not be formally taken, but the question put or other offer of evidence, together with the objection thereto and the ruling thereon, shall be entered by the court, judge, referee or commissioner (or by the stenographer, if one is in attendance) in the minutes of the trial or hearing, and such entry shall import an exception by the party against whom the ruling was made.
RCW 4.24.060 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 060
RCW 4.24.060: Application of common law.
Status: in_force

The common law right to an action for damages done by fires, is not taken away or diminished by RCW 4.24.040 , 4.24.050 , and 4.24.060 . However: (1) Any person availing himself or herself of the provisions of RCW 4.24.040 , shall be barred of his or her action at common law for the damage so sued for; (2) No action shall be brought at common law for kindling fires in the manner described in RCW 4.24.050 . However, if any such fires shall spread and do damage, the person who kindled the fire and any person present and concerned in driving the lumber, by whose act or neglect the fire is suffered to spread and do damage shall be liable in an action on the case for the amount of damages thereby sustained; and (3) A civil action for property damage to public or private forested lands, including real and personal property on those lands, resulting from a fire that started on or spread from public or private forested lands may be brought only under RCW 76.04.760 .
RCW 4.24.005 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 005
RCW 4.24.005: Tort actions—Attorneys' fees—Determination of reasonableness.
Status: in_force

Any party charged with the payment of attorney's fees in any tort action may petition the court not later than forty-five days of receipt of a final billing or accounting for a determination of the reasonableness of that party's attorneys' fees. The court shall make such a determination and shall take into consideration the following: (1) The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly; (2) The likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer; (3) The fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services; (4) The amount involved and the results obtained; (5) The time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances; (6) The nature and length of the professional relationship with the client; (7) The experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; (8) Whether the fee is fixed or contingent; (9) Whether the fixed or contingent fee agreement was in writing and whether the client was aware of his or her right to petition the court under this section; (10) The terms of the fee agreement.
RCW 4.44.390 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 390
RCW 4.44.390: Jury may be polled.
Status: in_force

After the verdict is announced, but before it is filed, the jury may be polled at the request of either party. Each juror may be asked whether the verdict is his or her individual verdict and whether the verdict is the jury's collective verdict. If it appears that the verdict is insufficient because the required number of jurors have not reached agreement, the jurors may be returned to the jury room for further deliberation.
RCW 4.24.710 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 710
RCW 4.24.710: Outdoor music festival, campground—Detention.
Status: in_force

(1) In a civil action brought against the detainer by reason of a person having been detained on or in the immediate vicinity of the premises of an outdoor music festival or related campground for the purpose of investigation or questioning as to the lawfulness of the consumption or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs, it is a defense that the detained person was detained in a reasonable manner and for not more than a reasonable time to permit the investigation or questioning by a law enforcement officer, and that a peace officer, owner, operator, employee, or agent of the outdoor music festival had reasonable grounds to believe that the person so detained was unlawfully consuming or attempting to unlawfully consume or possess, alcohol or illegal drugs on the premises. (2) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Illegal drug" means a controlled substance under chapter 69.50 RCW for which the person detained does not have a valid prescription or that is not being consumed in accordance with the prescription directions and warnings, or a legend drug under chapter 69.41 RCW for which the person does not have a valid prescription or that is not being consumed in accordance with the prescription directions and warnings. (b) "Outdoor music festival" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.108.020 , except that no minimum time limit is required. (c) "Reasonable grounds" include, but are not limited to: (i) Exhibiting the effects of having consumed liquor, which means that a person has the odor of liquor on his or her breath, or that by speech, manner, appearance, behavior, lack of coordination, or otherwise exhibits that he or she has consumed liquor, and either: (A) Is in possession of or in close proximity to a container that has or recently had liquor in it; or (B) Is shown by other evidence to have recently consumed liquor; or (ii) Exhibiting the effects of having consumed an illegal drug, which means that a person by speech, manner, appearance, behavior, lack of coordination, or otherwise exhibits that he or she has consumed an illegal drug, and either: (A) Is in possession of an illegal drug; or (B) Is shown by other evidence to have recently consumed an illegal drug. (d) "Reasonable time" means the time necessary to permit the person detained to make a statement or to refuse to make a statement, and the time necessary to allow a law enforcement officer to determine the lawfulness of the consumption or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs. "Reasonable time" may not exceed one hour.
RCW 4.44.110 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 110
RCW 4.44.110: Jury fee part of taxable costs.
Status: in_force

The jury fee paid by the party demanding a trial by jury shall be a part of the taxable costs in such action.
RCW 4.16.250 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 16 / Section 250
RCW 4.16.250: Disability must exist when right of action accrued.
Status: in_force

No person shall avail himself or herself of a disability unless it existed when his or her right of action accrued.
RCW 4.24.141 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 141
RCW 4.24.141: Action by another state to enforce tax liability—"Taxes" defined.
Status: in_force

The term "taxes" as used in RCW 4.24.140 shall include: (1) Any and all tax assessments lawfully made whether they be based upon a return or other disclosure of the taxpayer, upon information and belief of the taxing authority, or otherwise; (2) Any and all penalties lawfully imposed pursuant to a tax statute; (3) Interest charges lawfully added to the tax liability which constitutes the subject of the action.
RCW 4.24.520 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 520
RCW 4.24.520: Good faith communication to government agency—When agency or attorney general may defend against lawsuit—Costs and fees.
Status: in_force

In order to protect the free flow of information from citizens to their government, an agency receiving a complaint or information under RCW 4.24.510 may intervene in and defend against any suit precipitated by the communication to the agency. In the event that a local governmental agency does not intervene in and defend against a suit arising from any communication protected under chapter 234, Laws of 1989, the office of the attorney general may intervene in and defend against the suit. An agency prevailing upon the defense provided for in RCW 4.24.510 shall be entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in establishing the defense. If the agency fails to establish the defense provided for in RCW 4.24.510 , the party bringing the action shall be entitled to recover from the agency costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in proving the defense inapplicable or invalid.
RCW 4.60.070 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 60 / Section 070
RCW 4.60.070: Judgment on confession—Entry—Execution.
Status: in_force

The statement must be presented to the superior court or a judge thereof, and if the same be found sufficient, the court or judge shall indorse thereon an order that judgment be entered by the clerk; whereupon it may be filed in the office of the clerk, who shall enter a judgment for the amount confessed, with costs. Execution may be issued and enforced thereon in the same manner as upon judgments in other cases.
RCW 4.22.925 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 22 / Section 925
RCW 4.22.925: Applicability—1981 c 27 s 17.
Status: in_force

In accordance with section 15(1), chapter 27, Laws of 1981, the repeal of RCW 4.22.010 by section 17, chapter 27, Laws of 1981 applies only to claims arising on or after July 26, 1981. RCW 4.22.010 shall continue to apply to claims arising prior to July 26, 1981.
RCW 4.44.210 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 210
RCW 4.44.210: Peremptory challenges, how taken.
Status: in_force

The jurors having been examined as to their qualifications, first by the plaintiff and then by the defendant, and passed for cause, the peremptory challenges shall be conducted as follows, to wit: The plaintiff may challenge one, and then the defendant may challenge one, and so alternately until the peremptory challenges shall be exhausted. During this alternating process, if one of the parties declines to exercise a peremptory challenge, then that party may no longer peremptorily challenge any of the jurors in the group for which challenges are then being considered and may only peremptorily challenge any jurors later added to that group. A refusal to challenge by either party in the said order of alternation shall not prevent the adverse party from using the full number of challenges.
RCW 4.84.210 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 210
RCW 4.84.210: Security for costs.
Status: in_force

When a plaintiff in an action, or in a garnishment or other proceeding, resides out of the county, or is a foreign corporation, or begins such action or proceeding as the assignee of some other person or of a firm or corporation, as to all causes of action sued upon, security for the costs and charges which may be awarded against such plaintiff may be required by the defendant or garnishee defendant. When required, all proceedings in the action or proceeding shall be stayed until a bond, executed by two or more persons, or by a surety company authorized to do business in this state be filed with the clerk, conditioned that they will pay such costs and charges as may be awarded against the plaintiff by judgment, or in the progress of the action or proceeding, not exceeding the sum of two hundred dollars. A new or additional bond may be ordered by the court or judge, upon proof that the original bond is insufficient security, and proceedings in the action or proceeding stayed until such new or additional bond be executed and filed. The plaintiff may deposit with the clerk the sum of two hundred dollars in lieu of a bond.
RCW 4.100.080 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 100 / Section 080
RCW 4.100.080: Remedies and compensation exclusive—Admissibility of agreements.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5520-S.SL ) ***

(1) It is the intent of the legislature that the remedies and compensation provided under this chapter shall be exclusive to all other remedies at law and in equity against the state or any political subdivision of the state. As a requirement to making a request for relief under this chapter, the claimant waives any and all other remedies, causes of action, and other forms of relief or compensation against the state, any political subdivision of the state, and their officers, employees, agents, and volunteers related to the claimant's wrongful conviction and imprisonment. This waiver shall also include all state, common law, and federal claims for relief, including claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983. A wrongfully convicted person who elects not to pursue a claim for compensation pursuant to this chapter shall not be precluded from seeking relief through any other existing remedy. The claimant must execute a legal release prior to the payment of any compensation under this chapter. If the release is held invalid for any reason and the claimant is awarded compensation under this chapter and receives a tort award related to his or her wrongful conviction and incarceration, the claimant must reimburse the state for the lesser of: (a) The amount of the compensation award, excluding the portion awarded pursuant to RCW 4.100.060 (5) (c) through (e); or (b) The amount received by the claimant under the tort award. (2) A release dismissal agreement, plea agreement, or any similar agreement whereby a prosecutor's office or an agent acting on its behalf agrees to take or refrain from certain action if the accused individual agrees to forgo legal action against the county, the state of Washington, or any political subdivision, is admissible and should be evaluated in light of all the evidence. However, any such agreement is not dispositive of the question of whether the claimant was wrongly convicted or entitled to compensation under this chapter.
RCW 4.24.020 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 020
RCW 4.24.020: Action by parent for seduction of child.
Status: in_force

A father or mother, may maintain an action as plaintiff for the seduction of a child, and the guardian for the seduction of a ward, though the child or the ward be not living with or in the service of the plaintiff at the time of the seduction or afterwards, and there be no loss of service.
RCW 4.24.320 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 320
RCW 4.24.320: Action by person damaged by malicious mischief to livestock or by owner damaged by theft of livestock—Treble damages, attorney's fees.
Status: in_force

Any person whose livestock is damaged as a result of actions described in RCW 16.52.205 or any owner of livestock who suffers damage as a result of a willful, unauthorized act described in RCW 9A.56.080 , 9A.56.083 , or 16.52.320 may bring an action against the person or persons committing the act in a court of competent jurisdiction for exemplary damages up to three times the actual damages sustained, plus attorney's fees. As used in this section, "livestock" means the animals specified in RCW 9A.56.080 and 16.52.011 .
RCW 4.92.150 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 150
RCW 4.92.150: Compromise and settlement of claims by attorney general.
Status: in_force

After commencement of an action in a court of competent jurisdiction upon a claim against the state, or any of its officers, employees, or volunteers arising out of tortious conduct or pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981 et seq., or against a foster parent that the attorney general is defending pursuant to RCW 4.92.070 , or upon petition by the state, the attorney general, with the prior approval of the office of risk management and with the approval of the court, following such testimony as the court may require, may compromise and settle the same and stipulate for judgment against the state, the affected officer, employee, volunteer, or foster parent.
RCW 4.28.140 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 140
RCW 4.28.140: Affidavit as to unknown heirs.
Status: in_force

Upon presenting an affidavit to the court or judge, showing to his or her satisfaction that the heirs of such deceased person are proper parties to the action, and that their names and residences cannot with use of reasonable diligence be ascertained, such court or judge may grant an order that service of the summons in such action be made on such "Unknown heirs" by publication thereof in the same manner as in actions against nonresident defendants.
RCW 4.84.260 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 260
RCW 4.84.260: Attorneys' fees as costs in damage actions of ten thousand dollars or less—When plaintiff deemed prevailing party.
Status: in_force

The plaintiff, or party seeking relief, shall be deemed the prevailing party within the meaning of RCW 4.84.250 when the recovery, exclusive of costs, is as much as or more than the amount offered in settlement by the plaintiff, or party seeking relief, as set forth in RCW 4.84.280 .
RCW 4.24.430 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 430
RCW 4.24.430: Actions by persons serving criminal sentence—Waiver of filing fees—Effect of previous claims dismissed on grounds claim was frivolous or malicious.
Status: in_force

If a person serving a criminal sentence in a federal, state, local, or privately operated correctional facility seeks leave to proceed in state court without payment of filing fees in any civil action or appeal against the state, a state or local governmental agency or entity, or a state or local official, employee, or volunteer acting in such capacity, except an action that, if successful, would affect the duration of the person's confinement, the court shall deny the request for waiver of the court filing fees if the person has, on three or more occasions while incarcerated or detained in any such facility, brought an action or appeal that was dismissed by a state or federal court on grounds that it was frivolous or malicious. One of the three previous dismissals must have involved an action or appeal commenced after July 22, 2011. A court may permit the person to commence the action or appeal without payment of filing fees if the court determines the person is in imminent danger of serious physical injury.
RCW 4.92.180 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 180
RCW 4.92.180: State, local governments not liable for injury to unauthorized third-party occupant of state or local government vehicle.
Status: in_force

(1) The state and local governments are not liable for any injury received by a third-party occupant of a vehicle that is owned, leased, or rented by the state or local government if, at the time the injuries were inflicted, the third-party occupant was: (a) Riding in or on the vehicle with a state or local government employee who had explicitly acknowledged in writing the employer's policy on use of vehicles owned, leased, or rented by the state or local government; and (b) Not specifically and expressly authorized by the state or local government to be an occupant of the vehicle. (2) For purposes of this section, "third-party occupant" means a person who occupies a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the state or local government and who is not an officer, employee, or agent of the state or local government. "Local government" includes any city, county, or other subdivision of the state and any municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special district within the state.
RCW 4.32.070 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 32 / Section 070
RCW 4.32.070: Objection may be taken by answer.
Status: in_force

When any of the matters enumerated in *RCW 4.32.050 do not appear upon the face of the complaint, the objection may be taken by answer.
RCW 4.28.900 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 28 / Section 900
RCW 4.28.900: Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
RCW 4.24.730 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 730
RCW 4.24.730: Liability immunity—Disclosure of employee information to prospective employer.
Status: in_force

(1) An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer, or employment agency as defined by RCW 49.60.040 , at the specific request of that individual employer or employment agency, is presumed to be acting in good faith and is immune from civil and criminal liability for such disclosure or its consequences if the disclosed information relates to: (a) The employee's ability to perform his or her job; (b) the diligence, skill, or reliability with which the employee carried out the duties of his or her job; or (c) any illegal or wrongful act committed by the employee when related to the duties of his or her job. (2) The employer should retain a written record of the identity of the person or entity to which information is disclosed under this section for a minimum of two years from the date of disclosure. The employee or former employee has a right to inspect any such written record upon request and any such written record shall become part of the employee's personnel file, subject to the provisions of chapter 49.12 RCW. (3) For the purposes of this section, the presumption of good faith may only be rebutted upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the employer was knowingly false, deliberately misleading, or made with reckless disregard for the truth.
RCW 4.44.410 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 410
RCW 4.44.410: General or special verdicts.
Status: in_force

The verdict of a jury is either general or special.
RCW 4.92.120 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 120
RCW 4.92.120: Tortious conduct of state—Assignment of claims.
Status: in_force

Claims against the state arising out of tortious conduct may be assigned voluntarily, involuntarily, and by operation of law to the same extent as like claims against private persons may be so assigned.
RCW 4.20.046 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 20 / Section 046
RCW 4.20.046: Survival of actions.
Status: in_force

(1) All causes of action by a person or persons against another person or persons shall survive to the personal representatives of the former and against the personal representatives of the latter, whether such actions arise on contract or otherwise, and whether or not such actions would have survived at the common law or prior to the date of enactment of this section. (2) In addition to recovering economic losses on behalf of the decedent's estate, the personal representative is only entitled to recover noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, anxiety, emotional distress, or humiliation personal to and suffered by the deceased on behalf of those beneficiaries enumerated in RCW 4.20.020 in such amounts as determined by a trier of fact to be just under all the circumstances of the case. Damages under this section are recoverable regardless of whether or not the death was occasioned by the injury that is the basis for the action. (3) The liability of property of spouses or domestic partners held by them as community property and subject to execution in satisfaction of a claim enforceable against such property so held shall not be affected by the death of either or both spouses or either or both domestic partners; and a cause of action shall remain an asset as though both claiming spouses or both claiming domestic partners continued to live despite the death of either or both claiming spouses or both claiming domestic partners. (4) Where death or an injury to person or property, resulting from a wrongful act, neglect or default, occurs simultaneously with or after the death of a person who would have been liable therefor if his or her death had not occurred simultaneously with such death or injury or had not intervened between the wrongful act, neglect or default and the resulting death or injury, an action to recover damages for such death or injury may be maintained against the personal representative of such person.
RCW 4.92.220 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 220
RCW 4.92.220: Risk management administration account.
Status: in_force

(1) The risk management administration account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from appropriations and assessments shall be deposited into the account. Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures. (2) The risk management administration account is to be used for the payment of costs related to: (a) The appropriated administration of liability, property, and vehicle claims, including investigation, claim processing, negotiation, and settlement, and other expenses relating to settlements and judgments against the state not otherwise budgeted; (b) The nonappropriated pass-through cost associated with the purchase of liability and property insurance, including catastrophic insurance, subject to policy conditions and limitations determined by the risk manager; and (c) The administration of the prescribed fire claims fund pilot program under RCW 76.04.196 . (3) The risk management administration account's appropriation for risk management shall be financed through a combination of direct appropriations and assessments to state agencies.
RCW 4.84.160 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 160
RCW 4.84.160: Costs against assignee.
Status: in_force

When the cause of action, after the commencement of the action, by assignment, or in any other manner, becomes the property of a person not a party thereto, and the prosecution or defense is thereafter continued, such person shall be liable for the costs in the same manner as if he or she were a party, and payment thereof may be enforced by execution.
RCW 4.24.630 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 630
RCW 4.24.630: Liability for damage to land and property—Damages—Costs—Attorneys' fees—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

(1) Every person who goes onto the land of another and who removes timber, crops, minerals, or other similar valuable property from the land, or wrongfully causes waste or injury to the land, or wrongfully injures personal property or improvements to real estate on the land, is liable to the injured party for treble the amount of the damages caused by the removal, waste, or injury. For purposes of this section, a person acts "wrongfully" if the person intentionally and unreasonably commits the act or acts while knowing, or having reason to know, that he or she lacks authorization to so act. Damages recoverable under this section include, but are not limited to, damages for the market value of the property removed or injured, and for injury to the land, including the costs of restoration. In addition, the person is liable for reimbursing the injured party for the party's reasonable costs, including but not limited to investigative costs and reasonable attorneys' fees and other litigation-related costs. (2) This section does not apply in any case where liability for damages is provided under RCW 64.12.030 , * 79.01.756 , 79.01.760 , 79.40.070 , or where there is immunity from liability under RCW 64.12.035 .
RCW 4.32.250 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 32 / Section 250
RCW 4.32.250: Effect of minor defects in pleading.
Status: in_force

A notice or other paper is valid and effectual though the title of the action in which it is made is omitted, or it is defective either in respect to the court or parties, if it intelligently refers to such action or proceedings; and in furtherance of justice upon proper terms, any other defect or error in any notice or other paper or proceeding may be amended by the court, and any mischance, omission or defect relieved within one year thereafter; and the court may enlarge or extend the time, for good cause shown, within which by statute any act is to be done, proceeding had or taken, notice or paper filed or served, or may, on such terms as are just, permit the same to be done or supplied after the time therefor has expired.
RCW 4.16.040 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 16 / Section 040
RCW 4.16.040: Actions limited to six years.
Status: in_force

The following actions shall be commenced within six years: (1) An action upon a contract in writing, or liability express or implied arising out of a written agreement, except as provided for in RCW 64.04.007 (2). (2) An action upon an account receivable. For purposes of this section, an account receivable is any obligation for payment incurred in the ordinary course of the claimant's business or profession, whether arising from one or more transactions and whether or not earned by performance. (3) An action for the rents and profits or for the use and occupation of real estate.
RCW 4.24.850 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 850
RCW 4.24.850: Action by victim of false reporting—Liability to a public agency.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) An individual who is a victim of an offense under RCW 9A.84.040 may bring a civil action against the person who committed the offense or against any person who knowingly benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture that the person knew or should have known has engaged in an act in violation of RCW 9A.84.040 , and may recover damages and any other appropriate relief, including reasonable attorneys' fees. (b) A person who is found liable under RCW 9A.84.040 shall be jointly and severally liable with each other person, if any, who is found liable under RCW 9A.84.040 for damages arising from the same violation of RCW 9A.84.040 . (2) Any person convicted of violating RCW 9A.84.040 and that resulted in an emergency response may be liable to a public agency for the reasonable costs of the emergency response by, and at the discretion of, the public agency that incurred the costs.
RCW 4.24.460 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 460
RCW 4.24.460: Liability of operators for nuclear incidents—Presumption of operator negligence—Rebuttal—Recovery for negligence or against other parties not limited by section.
Status: in_force

(1) Operators are liable for failure to exercise ordinary and reasonable care to protect persons and property subject to injury in nuclear incidents. In addition, operators are liable for operational expenses and emergency purchases incurred by local or state governments in responding to nuclear incidents. (2) If a nuclear incident occurs, there is a presumption that the operator of a waste repository was negligent in constructing, operating, or monitoring the waste repository, or in transporting radioactive waste, and that the operator was an actual cause of the nuclear incident. The presumption may be rebutted by a clear and convincing showing by the operator that the nuclear incident was not the result of the operator's negligence and that the operator's negligence was not an actual cause of the nuclear incident. (3) This section does not limit the recovery of parties injured by a nuclear incident against the operators of a waste repository under theories of negligence in selecting contractors, failure to retain adequate controls over the waste repository, vicarious liability for contractors, failure to take reasonable precautionary measures with respect to inherently dangerous activities, and other negligence theories. This section does not limit the recovery of parties injured by a nuclear incident against parties other than operators of a waste facility.
RCW 4.14.030 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 14 / Section 030
RCW 4.14.030: Orders and process upon removal—Remand of cases improvidently removed.
Status: in_force

In any case removed from justice court under the provisions of this chapter, the superior court may issue all necessary orders and process to bring before it all proper parties whether served by process issued by the justice court or otherwise. If at any time before final judgment it appears that the case was removed improvidently and without jurisdiction, the superior court shall remand the case, and may order the payment of just costs. A certified copy of the order of remand shall be mailed by the clerk of the superior court to the justice court. The justice court may thereupon proceed with such case.
RCW 4.56.111 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 111
RCW 4.56.111: Interest on judgments—Rate.
Status: in_force

The rate of interest required by RCW 4.56.110 (3) (a) and (b) applies to the accrual of interest: (1) As of the date of entry of judgment with respect to a judgment that is entered on or after June 10, 2010; and (2) As of June 10, 2010, with respect to a judgment that was entered before June 10, 2010, and that is still accruing interest on June 10, 2010.
RCW 4.64.080 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 64 / Section 080
RCW 4.64.080: Entries in execution docket.
Status: in_force

When entering a judgment in the execution docket, the clerk shall leave space on the same page, if practicable, in which the clerk shall enter, in the order in which they occur, all the proceedings subsequent to the judgment in the case until its final satisfaction, including when and to what county an execution is issued, when returned, and the return or the substance thereof. When the execution is levied on personal property which is returned unsold, the entry shall be: "levied (noting the date) on property not sold." When any sheriff shall furnish the clerk with a copy of any levy upon real estate on any judgment the minutes of which are entered in the execution docket, the entry shall be: "levied upon real estate," noting the date. When any execution issued to any other county is returned levied upon real estate in such county, the entry in the docket shall be, "levied on real estate of . . . . . ., in . . . . . . county," noting the date, county, and defendants whose estate is levied upon. When any money is paid, the amount and time when paid shall be entered. When a judgment is appealed, modified, discharged, or in any manner satisfied, the facts in respect thereto shall be entered. The parties interested may also assign or discharge such judgment on such execution docket. When the judgment is fully satisfied in any way, the clerk shall write the word "satisfied," in large letters across the face of the record of such judgment in the execution docket.
RCW 4.56.050 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 050
RCW 4.56.050: Effect of judgment against executor or administrator.
Status: in_force

When a setoff shall be established in an action brought by executors or administrators, and a balance found due to the defendant, the judgment rendered thereon against the plaintiff shall have the same effect as if the action had been originally commenced by the defendant.
RCW 4.92.200 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 200
RCW 4.92.200: Actions against state on state warrant appearing to be redeemed—Claim required—Time limitation.
Status: in_force

No action shall be commenced against the state on account of any state warrant appearing to have been redeemed unless a claim has been presented and filed with the state treasurer within six years of the date of issuance of such warrant. The requirements of this section shall not extend or modify the period of limitations otherwise applicable within which an action must be commenced, but such period shall begin and shall continue to run as if no claim were required.
RCW 4.24.551 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 551
RCW 4.24.551: Law enforcement response to secure community transition facility—Limitation on liability.
Status: in_force

(1) Law enforcement shall respond to a call regarding a resident of a secure community transition facility as a high priority call. (2) No law enforcement officer responding reasonably and in good faith to a call regarding a resident of a secure community transition facility shall be held liable nor shall the city or county employing the officer be held liable, in any cause of action for civil damages based on the acts of the resident or the actions of the officer during the response.
RCW 4.80.140 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 80 / Section 140
RCW 4.80.140: Application of chapter.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall apply to and govern all civil actions and proceedings, both legal and equitable, and all criminal causes, in the superior courts, but shall not apply to district courts or other courts of limited jurisdiction from which an appeal does not lie directly to the supreme court or court of appeals.
RCW 4.68.050 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 68 / Section 050
RCW 4.68.050: Pleadings.
Status: in_force

If the defendant in his or her answer, deny the judgment, or set up any defense which may have arisen subsequently, the summons, with the affidavit annexed, and the answer, constitute the written allegations in the case; if he or she deny his or her liability on the obligation upon which the judgment was rendered, a copy of the original complaint and judgment, the summons with the affidavit annexed, and the answer constitute such written allegations.
RCW 4.16.005 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 16 / Section 005
RCW 4.16.005: Commencement of actions.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and except when in special cases a different limitation is prescribed by a statute not contained in this chapter, actions can only be commenced within the periods provided in this chapter after the cause of action has accrued.
RCW 4.24.290 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 290
RCW 4.24.290: Action for damages based on professional negligence of hospitals or members of healing arts—Standard of proof—Evidence—Exception.
Status: in_force

In any civil action for damages based on professional negligence against a hospital which is licensed by the state of Washington or against the personnel of any such hospital, or against a member of the healing arts including, but not limited to, an acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner licensed under chapter 18.06 RCW, a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, a chiropractor licensed under chapter 18.25 RCW, a dentist licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW, a podiatric physician and surgeon licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW, or a nurse licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW, the plaintiff in order to prevail shall be required to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant or defendants failed to exercise that degree of skill, care, and learning possessed at that time by other persons in the same profession, and that as a proximate result of such failure the plaintiff suffered damages, but in no event shall the provisions of this section apply to an action based on the failure to obtain the informed consent of a patient.
RCW 4.14.010 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 14 / Section 010
RCW 4.14.010: Removal of certain actions from justice court to superior court authorized—Grounds—Joint claims or actions—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

Whenever the removal of such action to superior court is required in order to acquire jurisdiction over a third party defendant, who is or may be liable to the defendant for all or part of the judgment and resides outside the county wherein the action was commenced, any civil action which could have been brought in superior court may, if commenced in district court, be removed by the defendant or defendants to the superior court for the county where such action is pending if the district court determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a third party may be liable to the plaintiff and issues an order so stating. Whenever a separate or independent claim or cause of action which would be removable if sued upon alone is joined with one or more otherwise nonremovable claims or causes of action, the entire case may be removed and the superior court may determine all issues therein, or, in its discretion, may remand all matters not otherwise within its original jurisdiction. This section does not apply to cases originally filed in the small claims department of a district court, or transferred to the small claims department pursuant to RCW 12.40.025 , except as set forth in RCW 12.40.027 .
RCW 4.44.160 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 160
RCW 4.44.160: General causes of challenge.
Status: in_force

General causes of challenge are: (1) A want of any of the qualifications prescribed for a juror, as set out in RCW 2.36.070 . (2) Unsoundness of mind, or such defect in the faculties of the mind, or organs of the body, as renders him or her incapable of performing the duties of a juror in any action.
RCW 4.56.190 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 190
RCW 4.56.190: Lien of judgment.
Status: in_force

The real estate of any judgment debtor, and such as the judgment debtor may acquire, not exempt by law, shall be held and bound to satisfy any judgment of the district court of the United States rendered in this state and any judgment of the supreme court, court of appeals, superior court, or district court of this state, and every such judgment shall be a lien thereupon to commence as provided in RCW 4.56.200 and to run for a period of not to exceed ten years from the day on which such judgment was entered unless the ten-year period is extended in accordance with RCW 6.17.020 (3), or unless the judgment results from a criminal sentence for a crime that was committed on or after July 1, 2000, in which case the lien will remain in effect until the judgment is fully satisfied. As used in this chapter, real estate shall not include the vendor's interest under a real estate contract for judgments rendered after August 23, 1983. If a judgment debtor owns real estate, subject to execution, jointly or in common with any other person, the judgment shall be a lien on the interest of the defendant only. Personal property of the judgment debtor shall be held only from the time it is actually levied upon.
RCW 4.105.040 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 105 / Section 040
RCW 4.105.040: Hearing.
Status: in_force

(1) The court shall hear a motion under RCW 4.105.020 not later than sixty days after filing of the motion, unless the court orders a later hearing: (a) To allow discovery under RCW 4.105.030 (4); or (b) For other good cause. (2) If the court orders a later hearing under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the court shall hear the motion under RCW 4.105.020 not later than sixty days after the court order allowing the discovery, unless the court orders a later hearing under subsection (1)(b) of this section.
RCW 4.84.250 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 250
RCW 4.84.250: Attorneys' fees as costs in damage actions of ten thousand dollars or less—Allowed to prevailing party.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provisions of chapter 4.84 RCW and RCW 12.20.060 , in any action for damages where the amount pleaded by the prevailing party as hereinafter defined, exclusive of costs, is seven thousand five hundred dollars or less, there shall be taxed and allowed to the prevailing party as a part of the costs of the action a reasonable amount to be fixed by the court as attorneys' fees. After July 1, 1985, the maximum amount of the pleading under this section shall be ten thousand dollars.
RCW 4.84.330 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 330
RCW 4.84.330: Actions on contract or lease which provides that attorneys' fees and costs incurred to enforce provisions be awarded to one of parties—Prevailing party entitled to attorneys' fees—Waiver prohibited.
Status: in_force

In any action on a contract or lease entered into after September 21, 1977, where such contract or lease specifically provides that attorneys' fees and costs, which are incurred to enforce the provisions of such contract or lease, shall be awarded to one of the parties, the prevailing party, whether he or she is the party specified in the contract or lease or not, shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees in addition to costs and necessary disbursements. Attorneys' fees provided for by this section shall not be subject to waiver by the parties to any contract or lease which is entered into after September 21, 1977. Any provision in any such contract or lease which provides for a waiver of attorneys' fees is void. As used in this section "prevailing party" means the party in whose favor final judgment is rendered.
RCW 4.84.185 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 185
RCW 4.84.185: Prevailing party to receive expenses for opposing frivolous action or defense.
Status: in_force

In any civil action, the court having jurisdiction may, upon written findings by the judge that the action, counterclaim, cross-claim, third party claim, or defense was frivolous and advanced without reasonable cause, require the nonprevailing party to pay the prevailing party the reasonable expenses, including fees of attorneys, incurred in opposing such action, counterclaim, cross-claim, third party claim, or defense. This determination shall be made upon motion by the prevailing party after a voluntary or involuntary order of dismissal, order on summary judgment, final judgment after trial, or other final order terminating the action as to the prevailing party. The judge shall consider all evidence presented at the time of the motion to determine whether the position of the nonprevailing party was frivolous and advanced without reasonable cause. In no event may such motion be filed more than thirty days after entry of the order. The provisions of this section apply unless otherwise specifically provided by statute.
RCW 4.52.030 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 52 / Section 030
RCW 4.52.030: Enforcement of judgment—Appeal.
Status: in_force

The judgment may be enforced in the same manner as if it had been rendered in an action, and shall be in the same manner subject to appeal.
RCW 4.56.120 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 120
RCW 4.56.120: Judgment of dismissal or nonsuit, grounds, effect—Other judgments on merits.
Status: in_force

An action in the superior court may be dismissed by the court and a judgment of nonsuit rendered in the following cases: (1) Upon the motion of the plaintiff, (a) when the case is to be or is being tried before a jury, at any time before the court announces its decision in favor of the defendant upon a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence, or before the jury retire to consider their verdict, (b) when the action, whether for legal or equitable relief, is to be or is being tried before the court without a jury, at any time before the court has announced its decision: PROVIDED, That no action shall be dismissed upon the motion of the plaintiff, if the defendant has interposed a setoff as a defense, or seeks affirmative relief growing out of the same transaction, or sets up a counterclaim, either legal or equitable, to the specific property or thing which is the subject matter of the action. (2) Upon the motion of either party, upon the written consent of the other. (3) When the plaintiff fails to appear at the time of trial and the defendant appears and asks for a dismissal. (4) Upon its own motion, when, upon the trial and before the final submission of the case, the plaintiff abandons it. (5) Upon its own motion, on the refusal or neglect of the plaintiff to make the necessary parties defendants, after having been ordered so to do by the court. (6) Upon the motion of some of the defendants, when there are others whom the plaintiff fails to prosecute with diligence. (7) Upon its own motion, for disobedience of the plaintiff to an order of the court concerning the proceedings in the action. (8) Upon the motion of the defendant, when, upon the trial, the plaintiff fails to prove some material fact or facts necessary to sustain his or her action, as alleged in his or her complaint. When judgment of nonsuit is given, the action is dismissed, but such judgment shall not have the effect to bar another action for the same cause. In every case, other than those mentioned in this section, the judgment shall be rendered upon the merits and shall bar another action for the same cause.
RCW 4.84.190 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 190
RCW 4.84.190: Costs in proceedings not specifically covered.
Status: in_force

In all actions and proceedings other than those mentioned in this chapter [and RCW 4.48.100 ], where no provision is made for the recovery of costs, they may be allowed or not, and if allowed may be apportioned between the parties, in the discretion of the court.
RCW 4.76.080 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 76 / Section 080
RCW 4.76.080: Petition for new trial when discovery of grounds delayed.
Status: in_force

When the grounds for a new trial could not with reasonable diligence have been discovered before, but are discovered after the time when the verdict, report of referee, or decision was rendered or made, the application may be made by petition filed as in other cases, not later than after the discovery, on which notice shall be served and returned, and the defendant held to appear as in an original action. The facts stated in the petition shall be considered as denied without answer. The case shall be tried as other cases by ordinary proceedings, but no motion shall be filed more than one year after the final judgment was rendered.
RCW 4.84.230 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 230
RCW 4.84.230: Dismissal for failure to give security.
Status: in_force

After the lapse of ninety days from the service of notice that security is required or of an order for new or additional security, upon proof thereof, and that no undertaking as required has been filed, the court or judge may order the action to be dismissed.
RCW 4.80.020 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 80 / Section 020
RCW 4.80.020: When to be taken.
Status: in_force

It shall not be necessary or proper to take or enter an exception to any ruling or decision mentioned in RCW 4.80.010 , which is embodied in a written judgment, order or journal entry in the cause. But this section shall not apply to the report of a referee or commissioner, or to findings of fact or conclusions of law in a report or decision of a referee or commissioner, or in a decision of a court or judge upon a cause or part of a cause, either legal or equitable, tried without a jury.
RCW 4.96.050 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 96 / Section 050
RCW 4.96.050: Bond not required.
Status: in_force

No bond is required of any local governmental entity for any purpose in any case in any of the courts of the state of Washington and all local governmental entities shall be, on proper showing, entitled to any orders, injunctions, and writs of whatever nature without bond, notwithstanding the provisions of any existing statute requiring that bonds be furnished by private parties.
RCW 4.24.140 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 140
RCW 4.24.140: Action by another state to enforce tax liability.
Status: in_force

The courts of the state shall recognize and enforce the liability for taxes lawfully imposed by the laws of any other state which extends a like comity in respect to the liability for taxes lawfully imposed by the laws of this state and the officials of such state are hereby authorized to bring an action in all the courts of this state for the collection of such taxes: PROVIDED, That the courts of this state shall not recognize claims for such taxes against this state or any of its political subdivisions: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the time limitations upon the bringing of such actions which may be imposed by the laws of such other state shall not be tolled by the absence from such state of the person from whom the taxes are sought. The certificate of the secretary of state of such other state to the effect that such officials have the authority to collect the taxes sought to be recovered by such action shall be conclusive proof of that authority.
RCW 4.44.230 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 230
RCW 4.44.230: Exceptions to challenges—Determination.
Status: in_force

The challenge may be excepted to by the adverse party for insufficiency, and if so, the court shall determine the sufficiency thereof, assuming the facts alleged therein to be true. The challenge may be denied by the adverse party, and if so, the court shall determine the facts and decide the issue.
RCW 4.100.050 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 100 / Section 050
RCW 4.100.050: Appeals.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5520-S.SL ) ***

Any party is entitled to the rights of appeal afforded parties in a civil action following a decision on such motions. In the case of dismissal of a claim, review of the superior court action is de novo.
RCW 4.68.010 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 68 / Section 010
RCW 4.68.010: Summons after judgment.
Status: in_force

When a judgment is recorded against one or more of several persons jointly indebted upon an obligation by proceeding as provided by the court by rule, such defendants who were not originally served with the summons, and did not appear to the action, may be summoned to show cause why they should not be bound by the judgment, in the same manner as though they had been originally served with the summons.
RCW 4.48.110 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 48 / Section 110
RCW 4.48.110: Referee's proposed report—Copies—Objections, etc.—Request for hearing—Final report—Additional items to be filed—Exception—Copies.
Status: in_force

(1) Within twenty days after the conclusion of a trial before a referee appointed under RCW 4.48.010 , unless a later time is agreed to by the parties, the referee shall mail to each party a copy of the referee's proposed written report. The proposed report shall contain the findings of fact and conclusions of law by the referee and the judgment of the referee. (2) Within ten days after receipt of the copy of the proposed report, any party may serve written objections and suggested modifications or corrections to the proposed report on the referee and the other parties. The referee shall without delay consider the objections and suggestions and prepare a final written report. If requested by any party, the referee shall conduct a hearing on the proposed report and any suggested corrections or modifications before preparing the final written report. (3) Upon completion of the final written report, the referee shall file with the clerk of the superior court: (a) Copies of all original papers in the action filed with the referee; (b) Exhibits offered and received or rejected during the trial; (c) The transcript of the proceedings in the trial; and (d) The final written report containing the findings of fact and conclusions of law by the referee and the judgment of the referee. (4) The presiding judge of the superior court may allow the referee to file the final written report under subsection (3) of this section without any of the items listed in subsection (3) (a) through (c) of this section. However, the presiding judge shall require the referee to file those items if a timely notice of appeal of the judgment is filed. (5) When the referee files the written report under subsection (3) of this section, the referee shall also mail to each party a copy of the report.
RCW 4.44.090 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 090
RCW 4.44.090: Questions of fact for jury.
Status: in_force

All questions of fact other than those mentioned in RCW 4.44.080 , shall be decided by the jury, and all evidence thereon addressed to them.
RCW 4.64.090 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 64 / Section 090
RCW 4.64.090: Abstract of judgment.
Status: in_force

The abstract of a judgment shall contain (1) the name of the party, or parties, in whose favor the judgment was rendered; (2) the name of the party, or parties, against whom the judgment was rendered; (3) the date of the rendition of the judgment; (4) the amount for which the judgment was rendered, and in the following manner, viz: Principal $. . . .; interest $. . . .; costs $. . . .; total $. . . . .
RCW 4.44.300 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 300
RCW 4.44.300: Care of jury while deliberating.
Status: in_force

During deliberations, the jury may be allowed to separate unless good cause is shown, on the record, for sequestration of the jury. Unless the members of a deliberating jury are allowed to separate, they must be kept together in a room provided for them, or some other convenient place under the charge of one or more officers, until they agree upon their verdict, or are discharged by the court. The officer shall, to the best of his or her ability, keep the jury separate from other persons. The officer shall not allow any communication to be made to them, nor make any himself or herself, unless by order of the court, except to ask them if they have agreed upon their verdict, and the officer shall not, before the verdict is rendered, communicate to any person the state of their deliberations or the verdict agreed on.
RCW 4.36.130 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 36 / Section 130
RCW 4.36.130: Answer in justification and mitigation.
Status: in_force

In an action mentioned in RCW 4.36.120 , the defendant may, in his or her answer, allege both the truth of the matter charged as defamatory, and any mitigating circumstances to reduce the amount of damages; and whether he or she proves the justification or not, he or she may give in evidence the mitigating circumstances.
RCW 4.56.200 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 56 / Section 200
RCW 4.56.200: Commencement of lien on real estate.
Status: in_force

The lien of judgments upon the real estate of the judgment debtor shall commence as follows: (1) Judgments of the district court of the United States rendered or filed in the county in which the real estate of the judgment debtor is situated, from the time of the entry or filing thereof; (2) Judgments of the superior court for the county in which the real estate of the judgment debtor is situated, from the time of the filing by the county clerk upon the execution docket in accordance with RCW 4.64.030 ; (3) Judgments of the district court of the United States rendered in any county in this state other than that in which the real estate of the judgment debtor to be affected is situated, judgments of the supreme court of this state, judgments of the court of appeals of this state, and judgments of the superior court for any county other than that in which the real estate of the judgment debtor to be affected is situated, from the time of the filing of a duly certified abstract of such judgment with the county clerk of the county in which the real estate of the judgment debtor to be affected is situated, as provided in this act; (4) Judgments of a district court of this state rendered or filed as a foreign judgment in a superior court in the county in which the real estate of the judgment debtor is situated, from the time of the filing of a duly certified district court judgment or duly certified transcript of the docket of the district court with the county clerk of the county in which such judgment was rendered or filed, and upon such filing said judgment shall become to all intents and purposes a judgment of the superior court for said county; and (5) Judgments of a district court of this state rendered or filed in a superior court in any other county in this state than that in which the real estate of the judgment debtor to be affected is situated, a transcript of the docket of which has been filed with the county clerk of the county where such judgment was rendered or filed, from the time of filing, with the county clerk of the county in which the real estate of the judgment debtor to be affected is situated, of a duly certified abstract of the record of said judgment in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the certified transcript of the docket of said judgment of said district court was originally filed.
RCW 4.24.540 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 540
RCW 4.24.540: Limitations on liability for equine activities—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional shall not be liable for an injury to or the death of a participant engaged in an equine activity, and, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no participant nor participant's representative may maintain an action against or recover from an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional for an injury to or the death of a participant engaged in an equine activity. (2)(a) RCW 4.24.530 and 4.24.540 do not apply to the horse racing industry as regulated in chapter 67.16 RCW. (b) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall prevent or limit the liability of an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional: (i) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional: (A) Provided the equipment or tack and the equipment or tack caused the injury; or (B) Provided the equine and failed to make reasonable and prudent efforts to determine the ability of the participant to engage safely in the equine activity, determine the ability of the equine to behave safely with the participant, and determine the ability of the participant to safely manage the particular equine; (ii) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional owns, leases, rents, or otherwise is in lawful possession and control of the land or facilities upon which the participant sustained injuries because of a dangerous latent condition which was known to or should have been known to the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional and for which warning signs have not been conspicuously posted; (iii) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional commits an act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant and that act or omission caused the injury; (iv) If the equine activity sponsor or the equine professional intentionally injures the participant; (v) Under liability provisions as set forth in the products liability laws; or (vi) Under liability provisions in chapter 16.04 , *16.13, or * 16.16 RCW.
RCW 4.16.310 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 16 / Section 310
RCW 4.16.310: Actions or claims arising from construction, alteration, repair, design, planning, survey, engineering, etc., of improvements upon real property—Accrual and limitations of actions or claims.
Status: in_force

All claims or causes of action as set forth in RCW 4.16.300 shall accrue, and the applicable statute of limitation shall begin to run only during the period within six years after substantial completion of construction, or during the period within six years after the termination of the services enumerated in RCW 4.16.300 , whichever is later. The phrase "substantial completion of construction" shall mean the state of completion reached when an improvement upon real property may be used or occupied for its intended use. Any cause of action which has not accrued within six years after such substantial completion of construction, or within six years after such termination of services, whichever is later, shall be barred: PROVIDED, That this limitation shall not be asserted as a defense by any owner, tenant or other person in possession and control of the improvement at the time such cause of action accrues. The limitations prescribed in this section apply to all claims or causes of action as set forth in RCW 4.16.300 brought in the name or for the benefit of the state which are made or commenced after June 11, 1986. If a written notice is filed under RCW 64.50.020 within the time prescribed for the filing of an action under this chapter, the period of time during which the filing of an action is barred under RCW 64.50.020 plus sixty days shall not be a part of the period limited for the commencement of an action, nor for the application of this section.
RCW 4.36.070 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 36 / Section 070
RCW 4.36.070: Pleading judgments.
Status: in_force

In pleading a judgment or other determination of a court or office of special jurisdiction, it shall not be necessary to state the facts conferring jurisdiction, but such judgment or determination may be stated to have been duly given or made. If such allegation be controverted, the party pleading shall be bound to establish on the trial the facts conferring jurisdiction.
RCW 4.84.150 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 84 / Section 150
RCW 4.84.150: Costs against fiduciaries.
Status: in_force

In an action prosecuted or defended by an executor, administrator, trustee of an express trust, or a person expressly authorized by statute, costs shall be recovered as in an action by or against a person prosecuting in his or her own right, but such costs shall be chargeable only upon or collected of the estate of the party represented, unless the court shall direct the same to be paid by the plaintiff or defendant personally, for mismanagement or bad faith in such action or defense.
RCW 4.24.820 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 820
RCW 4.24.820: Nonrecognition of foreign order—Incompatibility with public policy.
Status: in_force

(1) Washington's courts, administrative agencies, or any other Washington tribunal shall not recognize, base any ruling on, or enforce any order issued under foreign law, or by a foreign legal system, that is manifestly incompatible with public policy. (2) For purposes of this chapter, a foreign law, an order issued by a foreign legal system or foreign tribunal is presumed manifestly incompatible with public policy, when it does not, or would not, grant the parties all of the same rights, or when the enforcement of any order would result in a violation of any right, guaranteed by the Washington state and United States Constitutions.
RCW 4.92.175 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 92 / Section 175
RCW 4.92.175: Action against state patrol officers in private law enforcement off-duty employment—Immunity of state—Notice to employer.
Status: in_force

(1) The state of Washington is not liable for tortious conduct by Washington state patrol officers that occurs while such officers are engaged in private law enforcement off-duty employment. (2) Upon petition of the state any suit, for which immunity is granted to the state under subsection (1) of this section, shall be dismissed. (3) Washington state patrol officers engaged in private law enforcement off-duty employment shall notify, in writing, prior to such employment, anyone who employs Washington state patrol officers in private off-duty employment of the specific provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
RCW 4.24.830 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 830
RCW 4.24.830: Agritourism—Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Agritourism activity" means any activity carried out on a farm or ranch whose primary business activity is agriculture or ranching and that allows members of the general public, for recreational, entertainment, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy rural activities including, but not limited to: Farming; ranching; historic, cultural, and on-site educational programs; recreational farming programs that may include on-site hospitality services; guided and self-guided tours; petting zoos; farm festivals; corn mazes; harvest-your-own operations; hayrides; barn parties; horseback riding; fishing; and camping. (2) "Agritourism professional" means any person in the business of providing one or more agritourism activities, whether or not for compensation. (3) "Inherent risks of agritourism activity" means those dangers or conditions that are an integral part of an agritourism activity including certain hazards, such as surface and subsurface conditions, natural conditions of land, vegetation, waters, the behavior of wild or domestic animals, and ordinary dangers of structures or equipment ordinarily used in farming and ranching operations. Inherent risks of agritourism activity also include the potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, including failing to follow instructions given by the agritourism professional or failing to exercise reasonable caution while engaging in the agritourism activity, unless the participant acting in a negligent manner is a minor or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. (4) "Participant" means any person, other than the agritourism professional, who engages in an agritourism activity. (5) "Person" means an individual, fiduciary, firm, association, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, unit of government, or any other group acting as a unit.
RCW 4.24.601 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 601
RCW 4.24.601: Hazards to the public—Information—Legislative findings, policy, intent.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds that public health and safety is promoted when the public has knowledge that enables members of the public to make informed choices about risks to their health and safety. Therefore, the legislature declares as a matter of public policy that the public has a right to information necessary to protect members of the public from harm caused by alleged hazards to the public. The legislature also recognizes that protection of trade secrets, other confidential research, development, or commercial information concerning products or business methods promotes business activity and prevents unfair competition. Therefore, the legislature declares it a matter of public policy that the confidentiality of such information be protected and its unnecessary disclosure be prevented.
RCW 4.16.340 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 16 / Section 340
RCW 4.16.340: Actions based on childhood sexual abuse.
Status: in_force

(1) All claims or causes of action based on intentional conduct brought by any person for recovery of damages for injury suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse that occurred before June 6, 2024, shall be commenced within the later of the following periods: (a) Within three years of the act alleged to have caused the injury or condition; (b) Within three years of the time the victim discovered or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or condition was caused by said act; or (c) Within three years of the time the victim discovered that the act caused the injury for which the claim is brought: PROVIDED, That the time limit for commencement of an action under this section is tolled for a child until the child reaches the age of eighteen years. (2) The victim need not establish which act in a series of continuing sexual abuse or exploitation incidents caused the injury complained of, but may compute the date of discovery from the date of discovery of the last act by the same perpetrator which is part of a common scheme or plan of sexual abuse or exploitation. (3) The knowledge of a custodial parent or guardian shall not be imputed to a person under the age of eighteen years. (4) For purposes of this section, "child" means a person under the age of eighteen years. (5) As used in this section, "childhood sexual abuse" means any act committed by the defendant against a complainant who was less than eighteen years of age at the time of the act and which act would have been a violation of chapter 9A.44 RCW or RCW 9.68A.040 or prior laws of similar effect at the time the act was committed. (6) There shall be no time limit for bringing any claims or causes of action based on intentional conduct brought by any person for recovery of damages for injury suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse when the act of childhood sexual abuse occurs on or after June 6, 2024.
RCW 4.48.100 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 48 / Section 100
RCW 4.48.100: Compensation of referee—Trial expense—Obligation of parties, when.
Status: in_force

(1) The compensation of a referee appointed under RCW 4.48.020 shall be the same as that established for a superior court judge pro tempore under RCW 2.08.180 . (2) If a referee is appointed pursuant to RCW 4.48.010 , the referee's compensation shall be at the rate prescribed by subsection (1) of this section, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. (3) Payment of the compensation of a referee appointed under RCW 4.48.010 and the expense of the trial before the referee shall be the obligation of the parties. The obligation shall be borne equally unless the parties agree to a different allocation.
RCW 4.44.500 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 44 / Section 500
RCW 4.44.500: Deposits in court—Custody of money deposited.
Status: in_force

Money deposited, or paid into a court in an action, shall not be loaned out, unless, with the consent of all parties having an interest in, or making claim to the same.
RCW 4.72.010 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 72 / Section 010
RCW 4.72.010: Causes for enumerated.
Status: in_force

The superior court in which a judgment or final order has been rendered, or made, shall have power to vacate or modify such judgment or order: (1) By granting a new trial for the cause, within the time and in the manner, and for any of the causes prescribed by the rules of court relating to new trials. (2) By a new trial granted in proceedings against defendant served by publication only as prescribed in RCW 4.28.200 . (3) For mistakes, neglect or omission of the clerk, or irregularity in obtaining a judgment or order. (4) For fraud practiced by the successful party in obtaining the judgment or order. (5) For erroneous proceedings against a minor or person of unsound mind, when the condition of such defendant does not appear in the record, nor the error in the proceedings. (6) For the death of one of the parties before the judgment in the action. (7) For unavoidable casualty, or misfortune preventing the party from prosecuting or defending. (8) For error in a judgment shown by a minor, within twelve months after arriving at full age.
RCW 4.24.770 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 770
RCW 4.24.770: Private employer not liable for injury to unauthorized third-party occupant of private employer's vehicle.
Status: in_force

(1) A private employer is not liable for any injury received by a third-party occupant of a vehicle that is owned, leased, or rented by the employer if, at the time the injuries were inflicted, the third-party occupant was riding in or on the vehicle with an employee who had explicitly acknowledged in writing the employer's policy on use of vehicles owned, leased, or rented by the employer and the third-party occupant was not: (a) Specifically and expressly authorized by the employer to be an occupant of the vehicle; or (b) Acting on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the employer with the knowledge or implied approval or acquiescence of the employer. (2) For purposes of this section, "third-party occupant" means a person who occupies a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the private employer and who is not an officer, employee, or agent, or authorized or constructive invitee of the private employer.
RCW 4.68.030 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 68 / Section 030
RCW 4.68.030: Affidavit must accompany summons.
Status: in_force

The summons must be accompanied by an affidavit of the plaintiff, his or her agent, representative, or attorney, that the judgment, or some part thereof, remains unsatisfied, and must specify the amount due thereon.
RCW 4.24.575 — Washington Code / Title 4 / Chapter 24 / Section 575
RCW 4.24.575: Acts against animals kept for agricultural or veterinary purposes.
Status: in_force

(1) Joint and several liability for damages shall apply to persons and organizations that commit an intentional tort by taking, releasing, destroying or damaging any animal or animals kept by a person for agricultural production purposes or by a veterinarian for veterinary purposes; or by destroying or damaging any farm or veterinary equipment or supplies pertaining to such animal or animals. (2) Any person or organization that plans or assists in the development of a plan to commit an intentional tort covered by subsection (1) of this section is liable for damages to the same extent as a person who has committed the tort. However, a person or organization that assists in the development of a plan is not liable under this subsection, if, at the time of providing the assistance the person or organization does not know, or have reason to know, that the assistance is promoting the commission of the tort. Membership in a liable organization does not in itself establish the member's liability under this subsection. The common law defense of prior renunciation is allowed in actions brought under this subsection. (3) In any case where damages are awarded under this section, the court shall award to the plaintiff all costs of the litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees, investigation costs, and court costs, and shall impose on any liable party a civil fine of not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars to be paid to the plaintiff. (4) "Agricultural production," for purposes of this section, means all activities associated with the raising of animals for agricultural purposes, including but not limited to animals raised for wool or fur. Agricultural production also includes the exhibiting or marketing of live animals raised for agricultural purposes.