Los Angeles Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
LA County Superior Court — largest US trial court system. 6-month Gov Claims Act deadline (FATAL if missed). Privette Doctrine construction. MICRA $350K med-mal cap
Last reviewed: April 2026
⚖ LA: 6-MONTH Gov Claims Act deadline (FATAL). Privette Doctrine for construction (hirer usually not liable). MICRA $350K med-mal cap (phasing to $750K by 2033).
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Los Angeles Personal Injury
LA County Superior Court is the largest US trial court system (36 courthouses). PI cases filed by division nearest accident. Federal claims: Central District of California (CDCA).
Critical deadlines: (1) Private parties: 2 years from injury (CCP §335.1). (2) Government entities (LA City/County/Metro): 6-MONTH Government Claims Act deadline (Gov. Code §905) — FATAL if missed. Most common LA plaintiff error. (3) Medical malpractice: 1 year from discovery or 3 years from injury (earlier of).
Privette Doctrine (Privette v. Superior Court, 1993): hirers of independent contractors presumptively delegate safety — subcontractor employees CANNOT sue hirer. Exceptions: (1) Hooker (retained control + affirmative contribution); (2) Kinsman (concealed hazard); (3) SeaBright (non-delegable statutory duty). MICRA: medical malpractice non-econ cap $350K (2023, AB 35) phasing to $750K by 2033. Pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab): plaintiff recovers at ANY fault level. LA verdict ranges 2025: minor $15K-$75K; moderate $150K-$500K; catastrophic $500K-$10M+. $15M grocery store spinal cord, $8M med-mal, $4.19M Home Depot premises (Nov 2025), $6.68M Kroger slip (2024).
Los Angeles Personal Injury FAQs
How much is a personal injury settlement worth in LA?
Minor $15K-$75K. Moderate (surgery, 6+ months recovery) $150K-$500K. Catastrophic $500K-$10M+. LA verdicts vary widely — diverse jury pools can cut both ways. Notable 2024-2025: $15M grocery store spinal cord, $8M med-mal, $4.19M Home Depot.
How do I sue the City of LA for a sidewalk injury?
File Government Claims Act claim with City Clerk within 6 months of injury. LA maintains pothole/sidewalk repair request database — prior requests are discoverable evidence. Entity has 45 days to respond; rejection opens 6-month lawsuit window.
What's the SOL for LA personal injury?
2 years (CCP §335.1) for private parties. 6 MONTHS for government entities — under Gov. Code §905 Government Claims Act. Missing the 6-month claim deadline is the #1 fatal error in LA gov cases.
What is the Privette doctrine?
General contractor/property owner who hires independent contractor generally NOT liable for injuries to that contractor's employees. Exceptions: (1) Hooker retained control, (2) Kinsman concealed hazard, (3) SeaBright non-delegable duty. Critical for LA construction PI cases.
Do I need a local LA attorney?
YES. Gov Claims Act deadlines, LA Superior Court local rules, Privette doctrine litigation require local expertise.
How long do LA PI cases take?
Pre-trial settlements: 12-24 months. Trial: 3-5 years. LA Superior Court has heavy dockets.
Why are LA verdicts high?
Diverse plaintiff-sympathetic jury pools, high medical costs, high earning capacity values, NO cap on non-economic damages in non-malpractice PI cases.
Does MICRA cap apply?
ONLY to medical malpractice. For car accidents, products, premises liability: NO cap. MICRA 2023 cap $350K (post-AB 35), phasing to $750K by 2033 + 2% annual CPI thereafter.