§ Rule 904 Admissibility of Documents

Codes > Washington Rules of Evidence > Title 9 > Rule 904

RULE ER 904
ADMISSIBILITY OF DOCUMENTS

(a) Certain Documents Admissible. In a civil case, any of the following documents proposed as exhibits in accordance with
section (b) of this rule shall be deemed admissible unless objection is made under section (c) of this rule:

(1) A bill, report made for the purpose of treatment, chart, record of a hospital, doctor, dentist, registered nurse, licensed
practical nurse, physical therapist, psychologist or other health care provider, on a letterhead or billhead;

(2) A bill for drugs, medical appliances or other related expenses on a letterhead or billhead;

(3) A bill for, or an estimate of, property damage on a letterhead or billhead. In the case of an estimate, the party intending to offer the estimate shall forward a copy to the adverse party with a statement indicating whether or not the property was repaired, and if it was, whether the estimated repairs were made in full or in part and attach a copy of the receipted bill showing the items of repair and amounts paid;

(4) A weather or traffic signal report, or standard United States government table;

(5) A photograph, x-ray, drawing, map, blueprint or similar documentary evidence;

(6) A document not specifically covered by any of the foregoing provisions but relating to a material fact and having equivalent circumstantial guaranties of trustworthiness, the admission of which would serve the interests of justice.

(b) Notice. Any party intending to offer a document under this rule must serve on all parties a notice, no less than 30
days before trial, stating that the documents are being offered under Evidence Rule 904 and shall be deemed authentic and admissible without testimony or further identification, unless objection is served within 14 days of the date of notice,
pursuant to ER 904(c). The notice shall be accompanied by (1) numbered copies of the documents and (2) an index, which shall be organized by document number and which shall contain a brief description of the document along with the name, address and telephone number of the document's author or maker. The notice
shall be filed with the court. Copies of documents that accompany the notice shall not be filed with the court.

(c) Objection to Authenticity or Admissibility. Within 14 days of notice, any other party may serve on all parties a written objection to any document offered under section (b), identifying each document to which objection is made by number
and brief description.

(1) If an objection is made to a document on the basis of authentication, and if the court finds that the objection was
made without reasonable basis, the offering party shall be entitled to an award of expenses and reasonable attorney fees
incurred as a result of the required proof of authentication as to each such document determined to be authentic and offered as an exhibit at the time of trial.

(2) If an objection is made to a document on the basis of admissibility, the grounds for the objection shall be
specifically set forth, except objection on the grounds of relevancy need not be made until trial. If the court finds that
the objection was made without reasonable basis and the document is admitted as an exhibit at trial, the court may award the offering party any expenses incurred and reasonable attorney fees.

(d) Effect of Rule. This rule does not restrict argument or proof relating to the weight to be accorded the evidence
submitted, nor does it restrict the trier of fact's authority to determine the weight of the evidence after hearing all of the
evidence and the arguments of opposing parties.