Statutes of Limitations: Is It Too Late to Sue FAQ

Questions:

• How long do I have to file my lawsuit?
• Are statutes of limitations for suing someone always one year?
• What are the statutes of limitations for suing government agencies?
• What are the statutes of limitations in California?
• When does the clock start ticking for statutes of limitations?
• I'm defending myself in a lawsuit for something that happened years ago. Will the judge automatically throw the case out?

Answer:

What are the statutes of limitations for suing government agencies?

Often you cannot sue a government agency unless you first file an administrative claim with the city, county, or state of which the agency is a part. And you may have as little as 60 days to submit an administrative claim. If (as usually happens) the government denies your claim, the denial letter will tell you how long you have to file a lawsuit in court. Check your state's rules quickly after you suffer harm.