Civil Litigation

If you were personally served with a Summons and Complaint, you generally have 30 days to file a response with the court. Missing the deadline can allow the plaintiff to seek a default.

A claim involving death, personal injury, or damage to personal property generally must be presented to the government entity within six months after the claim accrues — before you can even file a lawsuit.

An action for injury or death caused by another person's wrongful act or neglect generally must be filed within two years. Different or shorter deadlines may apply depending on the facts, especially against a government entity.

A claim for damage to personal property generally has a three-year statute of limitations. The exact deadline depends on the claim — property damage often appears alongside a personal injury claim after a collision.

A complaint alleging an unlawful employment practice generally must be filed with the California Civil Rights Department within three years of the unlawful practice — the required first step before an employment lawsuit.

California recorded 4,061 traffic fatalities in 2023. Serious collisions are not rare — they can mean life-changing injuries, lost income, and claims involving multiple responsible parties.

California recorded 1,106 pedestrian fatalities in traffic crashes in 2023, according to the CA Office of Traffic Safety. Pedestrians have little physical protection in a collision, making these cases especially likely to involve catastrophic injury.

More than 5.3 million cases were filed in California superior (trial) courts in fiscal year 2024–25, including nearly 300,000 unlimited civil cases statewide. Litigation is common, and the courts move fast.

An action on a contract, obligation, or liability founded on a written instrument generally must be filed within four years — longer than most people assume. A dispute that feels stalled or too small to bother with may still be very much worth pursuing.