Yes—California has a strict deadline, called the statute of limitations. For most personal injury cases (like car accidents, slips, or dog bites), you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

BUT—there are exceptions:

• If the injury involved a government entity (like a city-owned property), you may only have 6 months to file a claim.
• If the injured person is a minor, the deadline is extended, but it’s still best to act quickly.

So if you were hurt during the summer—maybe at a pool party, amusement park, or on the road—don’t wait. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses can forget details.