If a city, county, school district or other public entity may be responsible for your injury, California law requires you to present a written claim first. The deadline is short.
The basics
- A claim for personal injury against a public entity generally must be presented within six months of the incident (Government Code section 911.2).
- The entity then has a set period to accept or reject it.
- If the claim is rejected, a lawsuit must generally be filed within a further short window.
Examples
- A pothole or dangerous road design on a city or county street
- A fall on a public sidewalk or in a public building
- A collision with a government vehicle
Late claims are sometimes allowed in limited situations, but you should not count on it. If a public entity may be involved, call as soon as you can.
Published October 6, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and every case is different. Attorney advertising.