How to File a Claim Against the City of Fountain Valley After an Injury

Last updated November 14, 2026

By Ron McMinn, Esq. | Official sources rechecked November 13, 2026.

Read this article in Español.

If a City of Fountain Valley vehicle, a broken sidewalk, a City street, a City park, or another City operation hurt you or damaged your property, California law usually requires a written government claim before any lawsuit. Here is what the City’s Claims page and Notice of Claim form say, and how the statewide deadlines apply.

Step 1: confirm the City of Fountain Valley is the right agency

Not every street, park, or bus in Fountain Valley belongs to the City. City streets, signals, sidewalks, city parks, and city vehicles generally point to the City. Interstate 405 and its ramps generally belong to Caltrans. Mile Square Regional Park is an OC Parks facility, so a claim about a dangerous condition there would generally go to the County of Orange, not the City. OCTA provides bus service. School-district vehicles and campuses are separate. If more than one public entity may be involved, a separate claim to each one can be required. See our guides on how to file a claim against OCTA, a County of Orange claim, and a Caltrans claim.

Step 2: watch the six-month deadline

Government Code section 911.2 says a claim for death or for injury to a person or to personal property must be presented no later than six months after the cause of action accrues. Most other claims get one year. Accrual is a legal question, so do not guess at the start date.

The City’s Notice of Claim form says a claim must be filed with the City Clerk within six months after the incident or event occurred, that claims related to injury to a person or damage to personal property must be presented within six months from the date of the loss, and that claims related to any other loss must be presented not later than one year from the date of loss. The form also warns you to be sure the claim is against the City of Fountain Valley and not another public entity.

Step 3: use the Notice of Claim form and an original signature

The City’s Claims page says people who wish to file a claim against the city for damages caused to their person or property must fill out the Notice of Claim Form (PDF) and submit it to the City Clerk’s Office. Claims may be mailed to the City Clerk’s Office or submitted in person at the public counter. The page says claims will not be accepted by fax or email, because an original signature is required. It also says claims are processed and investigated by the city’s third-party claims administrator.

The form itself says original completed claims must be mailed or delivered to: City of Fountain Valley, City Clerk’s Office, 10200 Slater Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. The Claims page lists the City Clerk’s Office at that address, phone (714) 593-4445, fax (714) 593-4494, and names Rick Miller as City Clerk Administrator, with the email Rick.Miller@fountainvalley.org. The main City Hall phone listed on the same page is (714) 593-4400.

Fountain Valley Municipal Code section 2.58.030 says all claims or demands against the city shall be filed with the city clerk. A claim should still include what Government Code section 910 requires. The City’s form asks for the date, time, and exact location of the loss; how the occurrence happened; what particular action by the City or its employee caused the alleged damage; a description of the injury, damage, or loss; the amount sought; the names of City employees if known; and witness information. For a vehicle claim, the form says you must include the year, make, and model, and must attach two repair estimates. The form is signed under penalty of perjury. Save a copy of the signed form and proof of mailing or delivery.

After you file

Under Government Code section 945.4, you generally cannot sue the City for money damages until a required claim has been presented and acted on, or deemed rejected. Section 912.4 generally gives the public entity 45 days to act. If it does not act, the claim is deemed rejected on the last day of that period.

After written notice of rejection, Government Code section 945.6 generally gives you six months from the date the notice is personally delivered or mailed to file suit. If no written notice is given, a two-year period from accrual can apply instead.

Missed the six-month window? Government Code section 911.4 allows a written application for leave to present a late claim within a reasonable time, not more than one year after accrual, with the proposed claim attached. Relief is not automatic. See our guide on a missed six-month government claim deadline.

Our dangerous road and sidewalk guide explains how public property claims work. Our Fountain Valley location page has more local context, including courts and the difference between City, County, OCTA, and Caltrans claims.

Talk to us

If you were hurt in California and a city, county, transit agency, or the State may be involved, Win Attorneys handles government claims and personal injury matters statewide from our Tustin office. We speak Spanish and Vietnamese. The statewide deadline and process are explained on our California government claims page.

Call us at (657) 235-8097, reach us through our contact page, or start online with our intake form. Office: 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.

This article is general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts. City forms and phone numbers can change, so confirm the current process with the City Clerk before you rely on a detail from this page.

Sources

• City of Fountain Valley, Claims page.
• City of Fountain Valley, Notice of Claim form (PDF).
• Fountain Valley Municipal Code section 2.58.030.
• Government Code sections 910, 911.2, 911.4, 912.4, 915, 945.4, and 945.6.

Frequently asked questions

How do I file a claim against the City of Fountain Valley?

Complete the City’s Notice of Claim form and mail it or deliver it in person, with an original signature, to the City Clerk’s Office at 10200 Slater Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. The City’s Claims page says fax and email are not accepted. The Clerk’s Office phone is (714) 593-4445.

What is the deadline for an injury claim against Fountain Valley?

Under Government Code section 911.2, and on the City’s own form, a claim for injury to a person or damage to personal property must be presented within six months. Other losses on the form have a one-year period.

Can I email or fax my Fountain Valley claim?

The City’s Claims page says claims will not be accepted by fax or email, because an original signature is required. Mail the form or deliver it in person at the public counter.

Is Fountain Valley responsible for Mile Square Regional Park or Interstate 405?

Generally no. Mile Square Regional Park is an OC Parks facility, so that claim would generally go to the County of Orange. Interstate 405 and its ramps generally point to Caltrans. Identifying the right public entity early matters because each claim has its own deadline.

What if I missed the six-month deadline?

Government Code section 911.4 allows a written application for leave to present a late claim within a reasonable time, not more than one year after accrual, with the proposed claim attached. Relief is not automatic.

Do your lawyers speak Spanish or Vietnamese?

Yes. We speak Spanish and Vietnamese. Our only office is at 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.