Can I sue a government entity in California if their negligence caused my injury?

Yes, but claims against government entities (cities, counties, the State of California, school districts, transit agencies) follow special rules under the California Tort Claims Act (Government Code § 810 et seq.). The most critical difference is the administrative claim deadline: you must file a formal claim with the government entity within 6 months of the injury — not 2 years like most personal injury cases.

If the government rejects your claim (or fails to respond within 45 days), you then have 6 months to file a lawsuit. Missing the administrative claim deadline almost always bars your case entirely, with very limited exceptions.

Common government liability scenarios include dangerous road conditions, public transit accidents (bus accidents, train accidents), injuries on public property, and police misconduct. Contact Arnold Law Firm immediately if you’ve been injured due to government negligence — the 6-month deadline is unforgiving.