Santa Monica, CA Courts and Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If an insurance company will not pay a fair amount for your injuries, filing a lawsuit may be the next step, and knowing which court will hear the case helps you plan. Most Santa Monica injury cases are filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, though some defendants move their cases to federal court. Our Santa Monica, CA personal injury lawyer handles each stage of a lawsuit, from the complaint through trial. Cohen Injury Law Group prepared this guide to the courts that hear Santa Monica injury cases and the local rules and programs that affect how those cases move forward.

Where Santa Monica Injury Lawsuits Are Filed

Personal injury lawsuits arising in Santa Monica are generally filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Santa Monica Courthouse serves the court’s West District, and the County’s location directory lists general civil and small claims services there. Since 2024, new unlimited civil injury cases have been assigned to a single judge by district rather than to the former Personal Injury Hub, a change explained in our guide to case timelines. Our article on filing an injury claim in LA County Superior Court walks through each step of the process.

What a Personal Injury Complaint Leaves Out

California does not allow a personal injury complaint to state the amount of damages demanded. The amount is left out of complaints in personal injury and wrongful death cases. A defendant can request a statement of the nature and amount of damages at any time, and the plaintiff must respond within 15 days. If no request is made, the statement must still be served before a default can be taken against a defendant who fails to respond. Preparing that figure requires a full accounting of damages, including future care and lost earning capacity.

Appearing in Court Remotely

Many people hurt in Santa Monica live elsewhere or return home after a visit. A party or witness in a civil case may appear remotely after giving notice to the court and the other parties. A judge may still require in-person attendance in limited situations, such as when the court lacks the necessary technology or finds in-person attendance necessary for a particular hearing. These rules now remain in effect until January 1, 2032. The Superior Court’s remote platform, LACourtConnect, began serving civil cases in 2020, Pasadena Now reported. Our blog explains how people hurt in a car accident while vacationing in California can work with a local attorney.

Settlement Conferences Through Resolve Law LA

Los Angeles County offers a free settlement program built for injury cases. Resolve Law LA operates under Superior Court standing orders and holds three-hour settlement conferences on Zoom, led by two volunteer settlement officers, one from the plaintiffs’ bar and one from the defense bar, according to Advocate Magazine. Insurance adjusters and others with full settlement authority must attend. From July 2021 to July 2025, the program held 3,465 sessions in injury and employment cases, and 64.5 percent of cases settled or remained in negotiations, according to a 2025 report on the program. Our guide to dealing with insurance companies explains how insurers approach these negotiations.

Juries, Verdicts, and Claims Against Public Agencies

California civil juries have 12 members unless the parties agree to fewer, under Code of Civil Procedure §220, and a verdict requires agreement from three-fourths of the jurors under Code of Civil Procedure §618. Jurors also assign percentages of fault when more than one party is responsible, as our guide to comparative fault explains. Lawsuits against the City of Santa Monica or the Big Blue Bus require a government claim first, as our statute of limitations guide explains, and our bus and public transit accident page covers those cases.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney in Santa Monica, CA About Filing a Lawsuit

Attorney Wayne R. Cohen has practiced law since 1991 and teaches Trial Skills as a Professorial Lecturer at The George Washington University Law School. Washingtonian has also recognized him among Washington, DC’s top lawyers. Attorney Nicholas E. Cohen brings a legal technology background to managing filings, deadlines, and remote appearances in each case.

Consultations are free, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. Contact our team to discuss your case.

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