Wash. Rev. Code » Title 90 · Chapter 90.56
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 90.56.370 (2026)

Strict liability of owner or controller of oil—Damages—Exceptions

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Any person owning oil or having control over oil that enters the waters of the state in violation of RCW 90.56.320 shall be strictly liable, without regard to fault, for the damages to persons or property, public or private, caused by such entry.
(2) Damages for which responsible parties are liable under this section include loss of income, net revenue, the means of producing income or revenue, or an economic benefit resulting from an injury to or loss of real or personal property or natural resources.
(3) Damages for which responsible parties are liable under this section include damages provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section resulting from the use and deployment of chemical dispersants or from in situ burning in response to a violation of RCW 90.56.320.
(4) In any action to recover damages resulting from the discharge of oil in violation of RCW 90.56.320, the owner or person having control over the oil shall be relieved from strict liability, without regard to fault, if that person can prove that the discharge was caused solely by:
(a) An act of war or sabotage;
(b) An act of God;
(c) Negligence on the part of the United States government; or
(d) Negligence on the part of the state of Washington.
(5) The liability established in this section shall in no way affect the rights which: (a) The owner or other person having control over the oil may have against any person whose acts may in any way have caused or contributed to the discharge of oil, or (b) the state of Washington may have against any person whose actions may have caused or contributed to the discharge of oil.
[ 2011 c 122 s 10; 2000 c 69 s 21; 1990 c 116 s 18; 1970 ex.s. c 88 s 6. Formerly RCW 90.48.336.]

Notes:

Prospective application—1990 c 116 s 18(2): "The section 18(2), chapter 116, Laws of 1990 changes requiring the defenses in that subsection to be the sole causes of the discharge, and the text of section 18(2)(b), chapter 116, Laws of 1990 shall apply prospectively and not retroactively after June 7, 1990." [ 2000 c 69 s 26.]
Findings—Severability—1990 c 116: See notes following RCW 90.56.210.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1994–2001 · leading case: King v. Olympic Pipe Line Co., 16 P.3d 45 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).
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King v. Olympic Pipe Line Co., 16 P.3d 45 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “The amended complaint seeks damages under RCW 90.56.370, which provides for strict liability for all damages resulting from unlawful discharge of petroleum products into state waters.”
Exxon Shipping Co., a Delaware Corp. v. Exxon Seamen's Union, 11 F.3d 1189 (3rd Cir. 1994). “1993); Wash.Rev.Code § 90.56.370 (1991). In addition to these civil remedies and penalties, an owner or operator of a tanker that causes a spill may be criminally liable under an array of federal and state statutes.”
King v. Olympic Pipeline Co., 16 P.3d 45 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “The amended complaint seeks damages under RCW 90.56.370, which provides for strict liability for all damages resulting from unlawful discharge of petroleum products into state waters.”
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