By Michael Shemtoub, trial attorney, Beverly Law. Updated November 2026.
No answer on your City claim?
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How to check your City of LA claim status
Once the City Clerk gives you a claim number, the claim belongs to the City Attorney’s Claims Section. The City Attorney lists three ways to check on it (City Attorney, Claims):
| Method | Contact | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 213-978-7040 | Have your claim number ready |
| attclaimsubmit@lacity.org | Put the claim number in the subject line, as the City Clerk advises | |
| Your adjuster | The investigator or adjuster assigned to the claim | Ask for a direct email and use it for documents too |
The claims status line belongs to the City Attorney. The City Clerk’s office files claims and does not decide them (City Clerk). Claims cannot be filed by phone.
What to have ready
- Your claim number. Online filers get it immediately at claims.lacity.org.
- Your full name as written on the claim and the date of the incident.
- The adjuster’s name, if you have it.
- A list of the documents you have sent and the dates you sent them.
If you lost the claim number, call the Claims Section at 213-978-7040 with your full name and the incident date.
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What each stage of the claim means
These are the stages the City Attorney and state law describe. The words an adjuster uses may differ.
| Stage | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Filed, claim number issued | The Clerk received the claim and sent it to the City Attorney | Save the number and the filing date; count 45 days |
| Assigned | An investigator or adjuster has the file | Get their contact information |
| Waiting for documents | The adjuster cannot decide until supporting documents are in | Send what is missing; see our documents checklist |
| Notice of insufficiency | The City says required information is missing (§ 910.8) | Correct and resubmit right away |
| Offer or accepted | The City accepts liability and offers payment | Get advice before signing the Release Agreement |
| Denied | A written rejection was mailed or delivered (§ 913) | Six months from the mailing date to sue; see claim denied |
| Deemed rejected | 45 days passed with no action (§ 912.4) | Calendar your deadline to sue now |
If the claim is denied, the City Attorney says you can ask for reconsideration by sending more information to the adjuster. That request does not change the date on the denial notice, and the six months still count from that date.
Questions about filing go to the City Clerk
The City Clerk handles the filing side, including requests for a paper claim form. Phone 213-978-1133 or email clerk.cps@lacity.org. In person, the Clerk is in Room 395, City Hall, 200 N. Spring St. (enter on Main Street), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except City holidays (City Clerk, Claim for Damage). The City Attorney’s office does not give legal advice or help fill out forms.
No letter after 45 days? What it means
Silence is a decision. If the City fails to act within 45 days, the claim is deemed rejected on the last day of that period, unless you agreed in writing to extend it (Gov. Code § 912.4(c)). You may then file suit (Gov. Code § 945.4).
Which deadline applies next depends on whether you get a proper written notice. With a written rejection, you generally have six months from the date it was mailed or handed to you. Without one, you generally have two years from when the claim accrued (Gov. Code § 945.6). A status call that ends with “it’s still under review” does not stop either clock. Put both dates on your calendar the day you file, and if a rejection letter shows up, plan around the six months from its mailing date. For the full picture, see what happens after you file.
Call us at (310) 552-6959 if you are not sure where your claim stands.
Related pages
- Claim against the City of Los Angeles: full guide
- What happens after you file
- Claim denied: what to do
- Documents checklist
- City of LA claim deadline
- City or county vehicle hit me: what do I do?
- Personal injury statute of limitations: CA, TX and WA
Common questions
What is the City of Los Angeles claim status phone number?
Call the City Attorney’s Claims Section at 213-978-7040 with your claim number. You can also email attclaimsubmit@lacity.org with the claim number in the subject line, or contact your assigned adjuster.
What is the City of Los Angeles claims department phone number for filing questions?
The City Clerk handles filing questions at 213-978-1133 or clerk.cps@lacity.org. The Clerk’s office is in Room 395, City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
I haven’t heard back in 45 days. Is my claim still open?
Legally, a claim the City has not acted on within 45 days is deemed rejected on the 45th day (Gov. Code § 912.4). The adjuster may still be working on it, but you can sue, and your deadline to sue is running.
How long does a City of Los Angeles claim take?
The City must act within 45 days unless you agree in writing to extend that time. Decisions often wait on supporting documents, because the adjuster cannot decide until they arrive.
Can I check my claim status online?
The City Attorney lists phone, email and the assigned adjuster as the ways to check status. The online portal is for filing and uploading documents.
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Sources
Important: This page is general information, not legal or medical advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: November 6, 2026.