Time limits on police claims
Chang v. Andrew Vanderwielen
In brief
- Where it stands
- Dismissed
Petition denied.
- What it’s about
- Vicki Chang challenged the Ninth Circuit’s time-limit ruling on claims involving Washington State Patrol troopers and its conclusion that negligence claims against emergency physician Riddhi Kothari could not proceed under a federal civil-rights law (§ 1983).
- Who it affects
- The Ninth Circuit's ruling remains in place in Chang's case, but the Supreme Court did not decide whether its conclusions about filing deadlines or § 1983 were correct.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.

What it's about
The Supreme Court refused to hear the case and did not decide those issues.
The dispute raised questions about when Chang's claims could be filed and whether alleged medical negligence could be pursued under a federal civil-rights law.
Question presented
1. Did the 9th Circuit three judge panel err in its calculation of the statute of limitations for the torts presented based on legal theories including date of discovery rules, estoppel and other forms detrimental reliance generated by WSP Trooper Ed Collins, supervisor of Brady listed for perjury WSP Trooper Andrew Vanderwielen, the actual statute of limitations for 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and state law tort claims, continued sanctions of State of WA under Trueblood v. State of WA DSHS, and claims tolling based on false imprisonment and grave disability? 2. Did the 9th Circuit 3 judge panel err in its con clusion this case was suitable for decision without oral argument? 3. Did the 9th Circuit three judge panel err in its conclusion that negligence claims including medical malpractice against Emergency Doctor of Osteopathy Emergency Riddhi Kothari DO cannot be brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 including gross negligence, intentional negligence, intentional and clearly incom petent negligence?
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
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Brief added: Petition
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.