How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California? (Statute of Limitations)

In California, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This means that you must file a complaint in court or settle your claim within two years of the accident/injury. An important exception to the 2-year statute of limitations applies when the person who caused your injury or damage works for a “public entity.” A public entity can involve a city, county, school district, parks, and recreation district, state government, federal government, and many others. In those cases, you generally have only six months from the date of the accident or injury to file a claim with the governing body of the public entity. Also, when a child is injured in California, the injured party has until two years after the child’s 18th birthday to file a lawsuit. One important exception to this rule involves local, state and federal public agencies. For example, if your child was injured playing in a city park, you generally have only six months to file a claim against the public entity. Because the statute of limitations is so important and missing it will prevent you from pursuing your case, you should consult with an experienced California personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident.