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Assault and battery (civil) in Washington
The civil claims for threatened or actual harmful contact. Appeals in these cases run to the Washington Supreme Court, through 1 intermediate appellate court.
What our library holds for Washington: all 1,207 Washington court rules word for word and the complete Revised Code of Washington; Washington case law is being added now. Citations from any Washington reporter are already checkable. See the rules quoted verbatim.
The generally recognized elements
These elements are recognized across U.S. jurisdictions; the wording, the burden, and the exceptions vary by state, so confirm them against Washington authority before relying on them.
- An intentional act by the defendant
- Intent to cause harmful or offensive contact (battery) or apprehension of it (assault)
- Contact or apprehension actually resulted
- Damages
What actually decides these cases
Intent and consent. These are intentional torts, so ordinary negligence standards do not apply, and a criminal case arising from the same facts proceeds separately with a different burden of proof.
Defenses you should expect
- Consent
- Self-defense or defense of others
- Defense of property (limited)
Before you rely on anything
Check the citations
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Washington courts and self-help
Court structure and the state's official resources.
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Every option →Assault and battery (civil) in other states
The same claim, state by state.
Browse →This page states generally recognized legal frameworks for orientation; it is not legal advice, not Washington-specific legal guidance, and not a substitute for a lawyer or for reading the authority that governs your case. Statutes of limitation are short and vary by state and claim — if you may have a claim, find out your deadline immediately from your state's courts or a lawyer.