Personal Injury in Los Angeles County
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
If you were hurt in Los Angeles County, your civil claim is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, and you generally have two years from the date of injury to file (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1) — only 6 months if the at-fault party is a public entity like the City of Los Angeles or LA County itself (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2).
Where do I file my case in Los Angeles County?
California has no separate civil court — every civil suit, including personal injury, runs through the county Superior Court. Los Angeles County operates multiple courthouses across the region, with downtown Los Angeles as a principal civil hub, and the right one depends on where the injury and parties are. Verify the correct courthouse, hours, and filing rules on the court’s official website before you file.
How long do I have to file?
| If the at-fault party is… | Your deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| A private person or business | 2 years from injury | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| A government entity (city, county, state) | 6 months to present the claim | Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 |
The local court decides where your case is heard; the substantive law lives in our statewide guides. Start with the California personal injury hub, then dig into the type that fits — car accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, or wrongful death.
California’s two-year filing deadline (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1) can move quickly, and the state’s pure comparative-negligence rule (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975)) means partial fault won’t bar your claim. To get matched with a local Los Angeles County personal injury attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Local civil court
Court: Civil personal-injury lawsuits in Los Angeles County are filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (civil division), the county's unified trial court for civil matters.
Every California civil suit, including personal injury, is heard in the county's Superior Court — there is no separate civil court. Los Angeles County is large and operates several courthouses across the region, with downtown Los Angeles as a principal civil hub; the proper courthouse depends on where the injury and parties are. Verify the correct location, hours, and filing procedures on the court's official website before you file.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Where do I file a personal injury lawsuit in Los Angeles County?
- In the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. California has no separate civil court — all civil suits are heard in the county Superior Court. Los Angeles County runs multiple courthouses, with downtown Los Angeles a principal civil location, so confirm the correct one on the court's official website.
- How long do I have to file an injury claim in Los Angeles County?
- California's personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). Some claims carry shorter notice deadlines, so confirm your exact deadline with an attorney.
- Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for my injury in Los Angeles County?
- Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, so your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but is never fully barred. Our California guides explain how this works.