Employment Claims: Time May Be of the Essence!

Many employees don’t realize that employment claims can come with strict deadlines. Missing those deadlines can bar you from filing a claim altogether, no matter how strong your case may be.

Below is a breakdown of what you need to know about time limits, special filing requirements, and when to speak with an attorney.

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is the legal time window you have to file a claim. Once that window closes, the claim is usually lost forever.

Different employment claims have different deadlines and in Washington State, the rules can vary depending on the type of claim and the employer involved.

Wrongful Termination

If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, Washington generally allows you three years to file a legal claim.

That may sound like plenty of time, but gathering evidence, navigating internal processes, and consulting with counsel can take longer than people expect. Starting early protects your options.

Suing a Government Employer? Special Rules Apply

If your employer is a state agency or governmental entity, you may face extra procedural steps before you can file a lawsuit.

The Tort Claim Requirement

Before suing the State of Washington or a state agency, you must file a tort claim form that formally notifies the state of your claims and allegations.

Once the tort claim is filed it triggers a 60‑day review and investigation period and gives the state an opportunity to resolve the matter.

After the 60 days, if the claim isn’t resolved, the state issues a right‑to‑sue letter, and you may proceed with filing a lawsuit.

Failing to complete this process can delay your case or prevent it entirely.

Discrimination Claims Have Their Own Deadlines

Claims involving sex, race, disability, retaliation, or other protected classes often fall under state or federal anti‑discrimination laws.

These laws come with their own statutes of limitations, special filing requirements, and agency processes (e.g., EEOC or WA State Human Rights Commission complaints)

Missing one of these steps can significantly affect your legal rights.

If you think you have an employment claim, contact the Seattle Litigation Group and an attorney can help you discern your claim and whether there are filing due dates you need to consider.