California Medical Malpractice Law at a Glance
Statute of Limitations
1 year from discovery, 3-year limit
Discovery Rule
1 year from discovery
Damage Cap
$430,000
Key Statute
CA medical malpractice law
State-specific statutes and case law govern filing deadlines and damage limitations.
Filing Exceptions & Tolling Provisions in California
The following exceptions may extend or modify the standard filing deadline in California:
- Minors under 6: file by age 8
- Fraudulent concealment tolls
- Foreign object: 1 year from discovery
- 90-day notice of intent required
Notable Medical Malpractice Verdicts & Settlements in California
Verdict
$18.4M
Missed spinal epidural abscess
Three ER visits over nine days; imaging never ordered. Patient left paraplegic.
Settlement
$12.9M
Delayed emergency cesarean
Fetal distress on monitoring strips unaddressed for 74 minutes; hypoxic brain injury.
Verdict
$6.1M
Unmonitored post-op sedation
Respiratory depression missed in recovery; anoxic injury after 11-minute gap.
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