California Injury Laws & Statutes

This is a plain-English guide to the key California statutes that govern personal-injury, wrongful-death, and abuse claims — from filing deadlines to liability rules, damages, and claims against the government. Each links to a detailed, attorney-reviewed explainer with the verbatim statute text.

Every page is reviewed against the current statutory text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Filing Deadlines — Code of Civil Procedure

How long you have to file, by claim type.

CCP § 335.1 — 2-year personal-injury & wrongful-death deadline

CCP § 340.1 — Childhood sexual abuse — no time limit

CCP § 340.16 — Adult sexual assault — 10 yr / 3 yr discovery

CCP § 377.60 — Who may file a wrongful-death claim

Liability & Damages — Civil Code

The duties, damages, and special liability rules.

Civil Code § 1714 — The general duty of care (negligence)

Civil Code § 2100 — Common-carrier utmost-care duty (bus, rideshare)

Civil Code § 3342 — Dog-bite strict liability

Civil Code § 1708.5 — Sexual battery

Civil Code § 51.9 — Sexual harassment in professional relationships

Civil Code § 52.4 — Gender violence civil action

Civil Code § 3294 — Punitive damages

Civil Code § 3333 — Measure of tort damages

Traffic & Vehicles — Vehicle Code

The rules of the road that decide fault in crashes.

Veh. Code § 17151 — Vehicle-owner (permissive-use) liability

Veh. Code § 21950 — Pedestrian right-of-way in crosswalks

Veh. Code § 21200 — Bicyclists’ rights and duties

Veh. Code § 27803 — Motorcycle helmet requirement

Veh. Code § 23152 — Driving under the influence

Public Entities — Government Code

Special rules and short deadlines for claims against government.

Gov. Code § 835 — Dangerous condition of public property

Gov. Code § 911.2 — 6-month government-claim deadline

Referenced Criminal Statutes — Penal Code

The criminal definitions behind civil sexual-abuse claims.

Penal Code § 261 — Rape

Penal Code § 288 — Lewd acts on a child

Penal Code § 289 — Forcible sexual penetration

By Practice Area

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?

Generally two years from the injury under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 — but only six months if a government entity is involved (Gov. Code § 911.2), and no deadline at all for childhood sexual abuse (§ 340.1).

Which California law makes someone liable for an accident?

Civil Code § 1714 sets the general duty of care — everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their want of ordinary care. Specific statutes add rules for dog bites (§ 3342), vehicle owners (Veh. § 17151), and carriers (§ 2100).

Can I recover punitive damages in California?

Yes, under Civil Code § 3294, when you prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with oppression, fraud, or malice — for example, a drunk driver (Veh. § 23152).

Do I need a criminal conviction to sue for sexual assault?

No. Civil claims are separate from the criminal case and use a lower burden of proof (CCP §§ 340.1, 340.16).