California Injury and Employment Claim Deadline Calculator

How much time do you have to file a claim in California? Use our free estimator to see the general deadline for injury, wrongful death, government, employment and wage claims, then confirm it with a lawyer.

On this page: Common deadlines · Exceptions · Why not to wait · FAQ

Missing a deadline is one of the few mistakes that can end a valid case completely. California sets different deadlines, called statutes of limitations, for different kinds of claims, and some are much shorter than people expect. Use the estimator below for a general idea of your deadline, then talk to a lawyer to confirm it. Exceptions can shorten or extend these deadlines.

Common California Deadlines

• Personal injury: generally 2 years from the injury.
• Wrongful death: generally 2 years from the death.
• Claims against a city, county, state agency or public transit: a written government claim generally within 6 months. See suing a government agency.
• Federal agencies, including Postal Service vehicles: an administrative claim generally within 2 years.
• Medical malpractice: generally 1 year from discovering the injury, and no more than 3 years from the injury, with limited exceptions.
• Property damage only: generally 3 years.
• FEHA discrimination, harassment and retaliation: a complaint with the Civil Rights Department generally within 3 years.
• Whistleblower retaliation under Labor Code 1102.5: generally 3 years.
• Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower retaliation: 180 days. See SOX deadlines.
• Unpaid wages: generally 3 years, and sometimes 4 under the Unfair Competition Law.
• Sexual assault (adult survivors): generally 10 years from the last act, or 3 years from discovering a resulting injury, whichever is later.

Exceptions That Can Change Your Deadline

• Minors: deadlines for many injury claims are paused until the injured person turns 18, but government claim deadlines generally are not.
• Delayed discovery: some deadlines start when the injury, or its cause, was discovered or reasonably should have been.
• Incapacity: some deadlines are paused while a person lacks legal capacity.
• Defendant out of state: certain absences can affect the deadline.

Because exceptions are technical and fact-specific, never rely on an exception without legal advice. See how long to sue your employer.

Why You Should Not Wait Until the Deadline

Even when the legal deadline is months away, evidence disappears quickly. Video is overwritten, vehicles are repaired or salvaged, witnesses move, and memories fade. In employment cases, emails and records can be deleted. Contacting a lawyer early protects both the deadline and the evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?

Generally two years from the date of injury. If a government agency is involved, a government claim generally must be presented within six months.

What is the deadline to sue a city or county in California?

You generally must present a written government claim within six months of the injury. After a written rejection, you generally have six months to file a lawsuit.

How long do I have to file a discrimination claim in California?

A FEHA complaint with the California Civil Rights Department generally must be filed within three years.

Does the deadline change if the injured person is a child?

For many injury claims, the deadline is paused until age 18, but government claim deadlines generally are not. Get advice promptly.

Is this calculator legal advice?

No. It provides a general estimate. Deadlines depend on the facts, and some can be shorter. Talk to a lawyer to confirm your deadline.

What if my deadline has already passed?

Contact a lawyer right away. Exceptions sometimes apply, and some late-claim procedures exist, but they are limited.