Filing an Injury Claim Against a Government Entity in California

When a public entity — a city, county, school district, transit agency, or the State of California — is responsible for your injury, the rules are stricter and the clock is shorter than a typical personal injury case. California's Government Tort Claims Act requires most claimants to file an administrative claim before they can sue.

When These Rules Apply

• City or school bus crashes and other public-transit collisions
• Dangerous conditions on public roads, sidewalks, or government property
• Injuries involving municipal vehicles or public employees acting in the course of their work
• Falls or hazards at publicly owned facilities

The Six-Month Administrative Claim

In most cases you must present a written claim to the correct public entity within about six months of the injury. The claim generally needs to identify the claimant, describe what happened, state the injury or loss, and make a demand. Filing the wrong entity — or missing the deadline — can bar the lawsuit even if liability is strong.

After the Claim Is Filed

1. The entity may accept, reject, or fail to act within a set period.
2. A rejection (or deemed rejection) typically starts a shorter window to file a lawsuit in court.
3. Only after the claim process is handled correctly does a standard personal injury lawsuit proceed.

Why Early Counsel Matters

Public entities often have specialized risk managers and defense counsel. Identifying the right defendant, preserving road or transit evidence, and meeting claim-form requirements are easy to get wrong without help.

Related: Statute of limitations · Truck & commercial vehicle accidents

Disclaimer: Government-claim rules are technical and fact-specific. This page is general information, not legal advice.

For representation, visit our Personal Injury practice area.