Washingtonworkers' comp filing deadline
No application valid or claim enforceable unless filed within 1 year after the day on which the injury occurred or rights of dependents/beneficiaries accrued, except as provided in §51.28.055 and §51.28.025(5) (§51.28.050)
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Free, confidential consultation. Statute-of-limitations rules have many exceptions — a lawyer can confirm your specific deadline.
Notice to employer
Worker files application with department or self-insured employer with attending provider's certificate (§51.28.020). No fixed days threshold for the worker-side notice; report-of-accident provisions in §51.28.010 apply.
Filing with the state
No application valid or claim enforceable unless filed within 1 year after the day on which the injury occurred or rights of dependents/beneficiaries accrued, except as provided in §51.28.055 and §51.28.025(5) (§51.28.050)
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Exceptions and tolling
Statute-of-limitations rules have many exceptions that can extend or pause the clock. The most common in Washington:
Occupational disease — Discovery rule
RCW §51.28.055 extends the limitations period for occupational diseases — 2 years from receipt of physician's written notice that worker has occupational disease.
Death claim deadline
Survivors filing for death benefits typically have 1 year from date of death. This calculator does not yet handle death claims; consult a lawyer for those.
Attribution
- Last verified
- May 4, 2026
- Editorial review
- Statute linked to primary source
- Primary source
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=51.28.050