Statutes of Limitation Not Applicable to Safeco Field Defect Claims

In a case of first impression, the Supreme Court yesterday held that because the primary purpose of Safeco Field is public recreation, claims stemming from design and construction of the stadium are exempt from the statute of limitation under RCW 4.16.160 (which provides that claims brought for the benefit of the state are not subject to statutes of limitation).  This is believed to be the first case in the country addressing the time periods for suit applicable to professional sport facilities constructed with public and private funds.The decision clears the way for the two plaintiffs (the PFD and the Mariners) to collect more than $3 million in damages from the contractor JV based on the failure of the intumescent fire protection coating system on the stadium's structural steel.Copy of opinion also available here Download file