In California you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, though some situations shorten or extend that deadline, so it is best to act early.
Written by Babak Hashemi, Esq.In California you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, though some situations shorten or extend that deadline, so it is best to act early.
California generally gives you two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against a government entity usually require a formal claim much sooner, often within six months.
Missing the applicable deadline typically bars your recovery entirely, no matter how strong your case is.
The deadline, called the statute of limitations, exists to keep claims timely. Beyond the legal cutoff, waiting allows evidence to disappear, vehicles to be repaired, and witnesses' memories to fade.
Acting early gives your attorney the best chance to investigate and preserve what your claim needs.
Some circumstances adjust the timeline. The clock may start later if an injury could not reasonably have been discovered right away, deadlines can differ for minors, and claims involving public entities follow their own strict, shorter rules.
Because these exceptions are fact-specific, you should never assume a deadline without confirming it.
Deadlines in injury cases are strict and depend on the details of your situation. This is general information, not legal advice. To confirm the deadline that applies to you, contact The Hashemi Law Firm for a no fee case evaluation.
In some situations the period begins when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, rather than on the date of the underlying event.
That distinction matters most where harm develops gradually or its cause is not immediately apparent.
Deadlines can be extended for injuries to minors, and they are compressed for claims against public entities, which typically require a formal written claim long before any lawsuit.
Because these rules diverge sharply from the general two-year period, they are worth confirming early rather than assuming.
Learn more about our California personal injury practice, or read related articles on our blog.
The Hashemi Law Firm represents clients throughout California from two Orange County offices — Foothill Ranch and Costa Mesa — with service across the San Francisco Bay Area and the Inland Empire and San Diego. Call (949) 464-8529 or contact us for a no fee case evaluation.
Every situation is different. For advice about your specific matter, contact The Hashemi Law Firm for a no fee consultation.
Generally two years from the date of injury for most personal injury lawsuits, though several exceptions can shorten or extend that period.
Claims against public entities usually require a formal written claim within roughly six months, well before the general two-year lawsuit deadline.
A claim filed after the applicable deadline is generally barred, no matter how strong the underlying facts are.
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