Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice in California
California malpractice claims: generally one year from discovering the injury or three years from the injury, whichever comes first. Read the details.
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Californian cases is generally one year from the date the injury was discovered, or three years from the date of injury, whichever comes first. It’s recommended to consult with a medical malpractice lawyer in Los Angeles to determine the specific statute of limitations that applies to your case. In medical malpractice cases, with the help of a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, victims may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| General statute of limitations in California | 3 years from the date of injury or 1 year from the date of discovery of the injury, whichever comes first |
Time limit for filing a claim | 3 years from the date of injury (CCP §340.5) |
Discovery rule | 1 year from when the injury was or should have been discovered, but generally no later than 3 years from the injury |
| Statute for minors | Minors: 3 years from the wrongful act; for a child under 6, within 3 years or before the 8th birthday, whichever is later (CCP §340.5) |
| Delayed injury discovery | The time limit can be extended if the injury or malpractice is not discovered immediately |
| Maximum statute period in California | Generally 3 years from the injury; this limit is extended only for fraud, intentional concealment or a foreign body left in the body (CCP §340.5) |
| Cases involving foreign objects | If a foreign object is left in the body, the statute of limitations is 1 year from the discovery of the object |
| Tolling for disability | The statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) if the plaintiff is mentally incompetent or under disability |
| Informed consent claims | Medical malpractice claims related to informed consent may fall under the same 3-year statute or 1-year discovery rule |
| Action against health providers | Applies to doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other medical professionals involved in the malpractice |
| Government immunity | If the claim is against a public entity (e.g., a county hospital), a written government claim must generally be presented within 6 months (Gov. Code §911.2) before any lawsuit |
| Medical records as evidence | The statute of limitations is unaffected by the availability or discovery of medical records |
| Claims against insurance companies in California | Insurance companies may defend healthcare providers, but the statute of limitations remains the same |
| Extension for settlements (YES/NO) | NO, negotiations or mediation alone do not pause the deadline; however, serving the 90-day notice of intent to sue (CCP §364) within the last 90 days of the period extends it by 90 days |
| Extensions for disabilities or incapacity (YES/NO) | YES, the statute may be tolled while the plaintiff lacks the legal capacity to make decisions (CCP §352); physical incapacity alone generally does not toll it |
What is medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare professionals fail to provide appropriate care expected in their profession, either by action or omission. To get compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit in California, you must prove certain things:
- That the healthcare provider had a duty to provide you with care. This is usually achieved by forming a doctor-patient relationship;
- That the healthcare provider was negligent in fulfilling his/her duty of care. Negligence can be shown by demonstrating that a similarly trained healthcare provider would not have acted (or failed to act) in the same way;
- That you suffered harm (physical, emotional, or financial) as a result of the healthcare provider’s negligence;
- You benefit from the right to compensation for the sufferings endured.
In California, there is a statutory deadline for filing a malpractice lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles can assist you in pursuing a claim for medical malpractice seeking the compensation you deserve.
Legal time frames for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in California
According to California law (Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5), medical malpractice claims generally have a time limit for filing. The patient has one year from the date he/she became aware of the injuries to initiate legal proceedings, or should have discovered them with reasonable diligence. In California, most malpractice actions have a maximum statute of limitations of three years from the alleged medical malpractice, regardless of when they were discovered.
Therefore, it is extremely important to consult a personal injury attorney in LAas soon as you believe you have a malpractice case to ensure that you file in a timely manner as required by law.
What circumstances are exceptions to the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in California?
There are several exceptions to the California medical malpractice statute of limitations. The documents must be submitted within the period specified by the legislation of misconduct.
In California, the statute of limitations for malpractice is different for minors, extending up to three years from the date of the injury or until the child’s eighth birthday if the child was under six at the time of the malpractice. As stated earlier, there are other situations in California that make exceptions to the statute of limitations for medical malpractice. It is the case when a foreign object is negligently left in the victim’s body or when the health care provider engages in inappropriate, such as intentional concealment, or cooperation with parents to avoid a complaint or fraud.
The statute of limitations is also paused if the healthcare provider committed fraud, intentionally concealed their wrongdoing, or colluded with the victim’s parents (when the victim was a minor) to prevent them from bringing a malpractice claim on the victim’s behalf.
In such situations, the statute of limitations will not begin to run, allowing the victim more time to seek legal advice from a medical malpractice attorney. By working with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney, the injured person can file a claim and potentially obtain compensation.
Additional considerations for filing a medical malpractice claim
In addition to the standard and exceptional deadlines, other aspects are also important:
- Duty to notify: In California, the law requires that plaintiffs must notify their healthcare provider at least 90 days before filing a lawsuit.
- Need for expert witnesses: Plaintiffs are typically required to bring testimony from a qualified medical expert to prove that the healthcare provider failed to meet the appropriate standard of care.
- Damages Cap: In California, there is a cap on non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) in medical malpractice cases, which since 2023 rises every year under AB 35; in 2026 it is $470,000 (or $650,000 in cases of death).
The importance of quick action
Given the strict deadlines and procedural requirements, it is essential to act quickly if you believe you have a medical malpractice case. Delays can negatively impact the ability to obtain compensation. Consulting a medical malpractice attorney in Los Angeles can help you ensure that all legal requirements are met and that your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame. This is particularly crucial due to the California statute of limitations for medical malpractice, which sets a strict deadline for filing claims.
Recent changes and things to consider
Recent legislative changes (AB 35, in force since January 1, 2023) have raised the damages caps in medical malpractice cases in California. Separately, the statute of limitations may be tolled in cases of fraud or intentional concealment on the part of the healthcare provider. In addition, California law (CCP §364) requires plaintiffs to notify the health care provider at least 90 days before filing a lawsuit. It’s important to consult a medical malpractice attorney in Los Angeles to understand these changes and how they might impact your case.
The essential role of legal representation
Due to the complexity of medical malpractice laws and the strict deadlines involved, it is crucial that you get legal advice as soon as possible. A medical malpractice attorney in Los Angeles can guide you through the legal process, gather the necessary evidence, and ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame.
If you have experienced a birth injury, seeking advice from birth injury lawyers in Los Angeles can be especially advantageous due to their specialized expertise in this field. Moreover, being aware of the California medical malpractice statute of limitations exceptions is crucial, as these exceptions might offer extra time to file your claim under specific conditions.
Statistics about medical malpractice
- Official data on medical malpractice payments are published by the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) in the United States.
A medical malpractice lawyer in Los Angeles can help you navigate these complex cases.
Responsible attorney: Marc Y. Lazo, Esq., State Bar of California No. 215998 · Last updated 29 October 2026