County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs Information Sheet

Suing the Government or a Public Agency

Government and Public Agencies

Government and Public Agencies are any state or local government office that serves the public, such as:

• The City of Los Angeles
• The County of Los Angeles
• The State of California
• The Metropolitan Transit Authority (M.T.A.)

Can I sue the Federal Government in Small Claims Court?

No. Federal government agencies cannot be sued in Small Claims Court, but you can file a Claim For Damages (other DOJ forms). If your claim is denied, contact an attorney for help with filing your case in the U.S. District Court.

Before Suing a Government Agency

Before you can sue the government or a public agency, you must first file a claim for damages with them. You can file a claim if you feel the agency is responsible for causing you injury, damage or loss.

Claim Forms

Get a claim form directly from the government agency responsible for your damage, injury or loss. Here are some helpful links:

City of Los Angeles

County of Los Angeles

State of California

Filing your claim

Take these steps to file a claim with a government agency:

1. Get the agency's Claim for Damages form. Some are linked above.
2. Fill out the claim form. You must submit the form within 6 months from the date you were injured or your personal property, such as a car or motorcycle, was damaged. If the claim involves a breach of contract or damage to real property, such as your house, you must file the claim within one year from the date it occurred. Submit the claim form by certified mail return receipt requested for proof of delivery. If you return the form in person, get a receipt.
3. After you file your claim, the agency will send you a letter telling you if your claim has been approved for payment or denied.

If Your Claim is Approved

If the agency accepts responsibility for your claim, you will be paid and your claim is settled. You do not need to sue in Small Claims Court.

If Your Claim is Denied

If your claim is denied, you must file a small claims case within 6 months of denial.

If They Don’t Respond

If the agency does not respond to your claim within 45 days, it is considered denied. You can now sue in Small Claims Court but must do so within 2 years of the date you filed your claim.

Filing your Small Claims Case

To sue a government or public entity:

1. Fill out a Plaintiff’s Claim. For more information see How to Sue in Small Claims Court.
2. File your Claim at the proper court Venue and pay the filing fee.
3. When you file your Plaintiff’s Claim with the court, be sure to bring a copy of the denial letter you received from the agency. If the agency did not respond to you, bring a copy of your claim form and proof of mailing or receipt.

When you file your small claims case, you will be given a court date and must have a copy of the Plaintiff’s Claim served to the agency. See Serving Court Papers.

Contact us for more information or speak with one of our counselors at (800) 593-8222.  If you live outside of Southern California, call us at (213) 974-9759.

Updated May 10, 2012

For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within LA County)
web site: dca.lacounty.gov