H-4056              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1959

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Representatives McMullen, Haugen, Brough, Zellinsky, Schmidt, Braddock and J. Williams

Read first time 1/24/86 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to actions for health care injuries brought more than ten years after the act or omission; and adding a new section to chapter 7.70 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.   A new section is added to chapter 7.70 RCW to read as follows:

          In an action against a health care provider under this chapter brought more than ten years after the act or omission alleged to have caused the injury or condition, the damages awarded shall not exceed the maximum amount of professional liability insurance coverage held by the health care provider on the date of the act or omission.

          This section shall not be construed as modifying RCW 4.16.350 or any other applicable statute of limitations.