§ 90.56.370. Strict liability of owner or controller of oil -- Exceptions
(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) 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.
(3) 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.
[2000 c 69 § 21; 1990 c 116 § 18; 1970 ex.s. c 88 § 6. Formerly RCW 90.48.336.]
Notes:
Prospective application -- 1990 c 116 § 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 § 26.]
Findings -- Severability -- 1990 c 116: See notes following RCW 90.56.210.
Sections: Previous 90.56.310 90.56.320 90.56.330 90.56.335 90.56.340 90.56.350 90.56.360 90.56.370 90.56.380 90.56.390 90.56.400 90.56.410 90.56.420 90.56.500 90.56.510 Next
Last modified: April 7, 2009