Last updated
By Ron McMinn, Esq. | Official sources rechecked November 9, 2026.
Read this article in Español.
The County of Los Angeles is a separate public entity from the City of Los Angeles and from LA Metro. If a County vehicle, a County-maintained road in an unincorporated area, a County facility, or another County operation caused your injury, the claim goes to the County’s Board of Supervisors Executive Office. Here is what the County’s Claims for Damages page says.
County, City, or Metro?
Many LA neighborhoods are inside the City of Los Angeles, which has its own process through the City Clerk (see our City of Los Angeles claim guide). LA Metro buses and trains are a separate agency (see our LA Metro claim guide). Freeways and State highways generally point to Caltrans (see our Caltrans claim guide). When it is unclear, consider presenting a timely claim to each entity that may be responsible.
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 County’s page repeats it: claims for death, injury to person, or injury to personal property must be filed not later than six months after the occurrence, and all other claims not later than one year after. It also warns that presenting a false claim is a felony under Penal Code section 72.
How to file with the County
The County says a signed, written claim shall be presented by mailing or delivering it to the Executive Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, by the claimant or the claimant’s authorized agent. The County’s instructions are to use one claim form for each claimant, read the claim thoroughly, fill it out as indicated and attach more information if needed, and return the original in person or by U.S. mail to:
Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors, Attention: Claims, 500 W. Temple Street, Room 383, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration).
The County claim form is linked from the County’s page. The page does not describe an online or email filing option. If you mail the claim, keep proof of mailing. If you deliver it, ask for a date-stamped copy.
Who handles it and how to ask questions
According to the Executive Office’s Customer Service Center page, claims are filed and processed with the Customer Service Center on behalf of the Clerk of the Board, then investigated by the Office of the County Counsel, the Chief Executive Office Risk Management, or a third-party administrator.
For filing questions, the County lists the Customer Service Center Claims Unit at 213-974-1440 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or ExecutiveOffice@bos.lacounty.gov. The County notes the Claims Unit does not provide legal advice, and that this claim process is not the same as the County’s self-insurance programs.
After the County acts, or does not
Under Government Code section 945.4, you generally cannot sue the County 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.
For public road and sidewalk liability, see our dangerous road and sidewalk guide.
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. See our Los Angeles page. We speak Spanish and Vietnamese.
Call us at (562) 296-5380, reach us through our contact page, or start online with our intake form. Office: 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a claim against the County of Los Angeles?
The County says a signed, written claim is presented by mailing or delivering it to the Executive Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. Return the original in person or by U.S. mail to Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors, Attention: Claims, 500 W. Temple Street, Room 383, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Can I file a County of Los Angeles claim online?
The County’s Claims for Damages page describes returning the signed original in person or by U.S. mail. It does not describe an online filing option, so plan on mail or hand delivery.
What is the deadline for an injury claim against LA County?
The County, citing Government Code section 911.2, says claims for death, injury to person, or injury to personal property must be filed not later than six months after the occurrence, and all other claims not later than one year.
Who investigates a County of Los Angeles claim?
The Executive Office says claims are filed and processed through its Customer Service Center on behalf of the Clerk of the Board, and then investigated by the Office of the County Counsel, the Chief Executive Office Risk Management, or a third-party administrator.
Who can I call with questions about filing?
The County lists the Customer Service Center Claims Unit at 213-974-1440, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or ExecutiveOffice@bos.lacounty.gov. The County notes the Claims Unit does not provide legal advice.