California sets deadlines, called statutes of limitations, for filing a lawsuit. Miss one and a court will usually dismiss the case no matter how strong it was.
The general rule
For most personal injury claims, the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. The same two-year period generally applies to wrongful death claims, counted from the date of death.
Why two years can be shorter than it sounds
- Investigations, medical treatment and negotiations take time.
- Evidence such as video and logs may be gone long before the deadline.
- A claim against a government entity has a far shorter window. See our article on the six-month government claim rule.
Exceptions exist
Deadlines can be paused or extended in some circumstances, for example for minors or when an injury was not discoverable right away. These exceptions are narrow, so do not assume one applies to you.
If you were hurt, talk to a lawyer early. A free consultation is a simple way to learn which deadlines apply to your case.
Published October 3, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and every case is different. Attorney advertising.