HomeUbicaciones › California

Información legal para California

Guías en lenguaje sencillo sobre sus derechos legales en California, escritas con claridad, específicas de las leyes de California y diseñadas para nuestra comunidad. Información gratuita, sin presiones y sin compromiso.

Plazo para demandar (lesión)
2 años
CCP § 335.1
Regla de falla compartida
Pura negligencia comparativa
Li contra Yellow Cab Co. (1975)
Reclamación frente a una entidad gubernamental
solo 6 meses
Ley de reclamaciones gubernamentales
Reportar una lesión laboral
30 días al empleador
Labor Code § 5400
Dónde ayudamos en California
5 ciudades cubiertas: toca un pin
Áreas legales en California Ver todas las guías de California →
Cities in California Ver todo →

What California law actually says — no fine print

These are the rules that affect accident and work-injury cases in California the most. Knowing them can be the difference between keeping or losing your rights.

You have 2 years to sue — but the clock starts on the day of the accident

In California, most personal injury cases have a 2-year deadline from the date of the accident. If that deadline passes without a lawsuit being filed, the right to sue is almost always lost permanently — no matter how strong the case is. Don’t wait to talk to someone.

CCP § 335.1

If a government entity is responsible, you have only 6 months

If your accident involved a city bus, a government vehicle, or a fall on public property, the deadline shrinks to just 6 months to file a required pre-lawsuit claim. Missing it usually closes the legal door for good. This applies to the MTA, LADOT, VTA, SacRT, and any public entity.

California Government Claims Act · Gov. Code § 912.4

Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover

California uses “pure comparative negligence” — which means that even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you still have a right to compensation. Your payout is simply reduced by your share of fault. If you were 30% at fault, you recover 70% of the damages. Even 90% at fault leaves you with 10%.

Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) · Civil Code § 1714

Dog bite: the owner is always responsible — no “first bite free”

In California, a dog’s owner is liable for the harm it causes if it bites someone in a public place or on private property where the person is lawfully present — even if the animal had never bitten before. There is no “one-bite” exception like in some other states. You don’t have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

Civil Code § 3342

Injured at work: you have 30 days to tell your employer

If you were hurt on the job, you must notify your employer within 30 days. Waiting longer can put your whole claim at risk. Your employer is legally required to give you the DWC-1 form within 1 business day of receiving your notice. Keep a copy of everything.

California Labor Code § 5400

Whatever your immigration status, you have rights in California

California’s workers’ compensation law covers all workers regardless of immigration status — including undocumented workers. You cannot lose your workers’ comp claim because of your immigration situation. This protection is explicitly written into state law. Your employer cannot use your status as a threat.

California Labor Code § 3351 · Lab. Code § 1171.5
🛡️
Whatever your immigration status, you have legal rights in California.

California law protects all workers and injured people — with or without documents. No one can take that right away. On this site we will never ask you for any immigration information. If you want to talk to someone, you can call when you’re ready — no pressure and no obligation.

Have questions about your case in California? Talk to someone now — in Spanish, free, and with no obligation. The whole process can be handled from home, by phone or online.
📞 (866) 449-0882

Encuentre un abogado de habla hispana en California

Browse our directory of verified attorneys in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and San Jose. At your own pace, with no one calling you without permission.

Ver abogados en California →
lawjusticia.org is an informational resource. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. This information does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising.