Injured by a Public School or County Agency? You Only Have 6 Months to Take Action
If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of a government entity in California — such as a public school, city department, or county agency you don’t have the usual two years to file a personal injury claim. You have just six months.
This strict deadline is known as the California Government Tort Claims Act, and if you miss it, your case could be thrown out before it ever reaches court.
At Noble Attorneys, we regularly help clients navigate this complicated and time-sensitive process. Whether your child was injured at school or you were hurt due to unsafe conditions on city property, here's what you need to know.
What Is the 6-Month Rule?
Under California Government Code section 911.2, if you’re filing a claim for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage against a public entity, you must first file a written claim with that entity within six months from the date of the incident.
This rule applies to:
Public schools and school districts
Cities and counties
Government agencies (like public transportation or sanitation)
Public hospitals
Police and fire departments
Failing to file the claim within the six-month period usually results in your case being barred from moving forward, even if it’s strong.
Why Is There a Special Deadline?
The law gives government entities the chance to investigate and respond to claims before they turn into full lawsuits. It’s a way for the state to manage risk and legal exposure.
But it also creates a real burden for injured people who may not even know they need to act quickly — especially children or their parents after an injury at school.
That’s why it’s critical to speak with a lawyer as soon as the injury occurs. At Noble Attorneys, we help families and individuals file these time-sensitive claims correctly and on time.
Examples of When the 6-Month Rule Applies
Here are just a few situations where the six-month statute of limitations could apply:
1. Injuries at a public school
If a child is seriously injured due to negligent supervision, faulty playground equipment, or violence on school grounds, the district may be liable.
2. Unsafe city sidewalks or roads
Tripping over a raised sidewalk slab or crashing due to missing signage can lead to a claim against the city or county.
3. Bus or public transportation accidents
If you’re injured on a city bus or train run by a government transit authority, the six-month rule still applies.
4. Assault or excessive force by a public employee
Lawsuits involving police or security personnel must also be filed under this shortened deadline.
5. Medical malpractice at public hospitals
Claims against a publicly funded clinic or hospital follow the same 6-month claim process.
How the Process Works
File an administrative claim with the appropriate government entity within 6 months of the injury date.
Wait for a response — the entity has 45 days to approve or deny your claim.
If denied, you have 6 months from the date of denial to file a lawsuit in court.
This process is separate from the normal two-year personal injury statute of limitations, and it’s very easy to get tripped up if you’re not familiar with it.
Don’t Assume You Have Time, You Don’t
People often think they have two years to sue for personal injury, but that doesn’t apply when a government agency is involved. Missing the six-month filing window usually means you lose the right to sue altogether, regardless of how severe the injury was or how clear the liability is.
At Noble Attorneys, we move fast to protect your rights and make sure every deadline is hit. We take care of the paperwork, file the claims, and build the strongest case possible from day one.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Noble Attorneys
If you or your child was injured due to the negligence of a public school, city department, or other government entity, do not wait. You may only have weeks left to act.
We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay us unless we win.
