Indexed from official State Bar of California records · Identity verification · Updated regularly

The RegistryPractice Area · Statewide

Find Medical Malpractice Lawyers in California

Counsel for harm done in care: negligence by physicians, hospitals, and clinics. This is the statewide record for medical malpractice in California: every attorney on the State Bar of California's official roll whose published practice reaches this area, shown in neutral directory order.

Californians search this field under many names · medical malpractice attorney, medical malpractice lawyer, medical negligence lawyer, surgical error attorney, misdiagnosis lawyer · and the registry answers all of them from the same source. Below: the governing deadline with its citation, what to weigh as you read the record, the questions Californians ask with the code sections that answer them, and medical malpractice coverage county by county, from Del Norte to San Diego.

The clock & the craft

Statute of limitations

Three years from the injury, or one year from discovery, whichever comes first.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.5

A 90-day notice of intent to sue must precede the filing (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 364). Minors under six have until age eight or three years, whichever is longer (§ 340.5).

Reading the roster

Medical negligence cases are expert-driven and expensive to prosecute, so attorneys who practice in this field screen carefully, expect an early records review before a commitment. Ask who funds the expert costs, how MICRA's damage caps and fee schedule shape the case value, and whether arbitration agreements from the provider's intake paperwork apply. Timelines matter twice here: the one-year discovery clock and the 90-day notice of intent under § 364.

Medical Malpractice · statewide roster

2,188 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list medical malpractice among their practice areas, with an address of record in 40 of California's 58 counties.

2,124 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.

The largest county rosters are Los Angeles (766), Orange (308), San Diego (265), Sacramento (143) and San Francisco (129).

14 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation, a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.

For 137, the registry records a language other than English, almost always from a firm website published in that language; that describes the website, not an attorney's own ability.

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In the last 30 days attorneys have read 11 filed matters on the registry.

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Legal information, not legal advice

Medical Malpractice matters in California

The matters this field covers, as Californians search for them. Each attorney's own profile states which of these they take.

  • misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis
  • surgical errors
  • birth injuries
  • medication errors
  • anesthesia errors
  • hospital and nursing negligence
  • failure to obtain informed consent
  • emergency room errors
  • dental and pharmacy negligence
  • wrongful death from medical error

Medical Malpractice questions, cited

How long do I have to sue for medical malpractice in California?

Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.5, suit must be filed within three years of the injury or one year after you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) it, whichever comes first. A 90-day pre-suit notice of intent is required by § 364 and can extend the deadline if served in the final 90 days. Fraud, concealment, and retained foreign objects toll the three-year period.

Is there a cap on medical malpractice damages in California?

Yes, on non-economic damages only. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2 as amended by AB 35 (2022), the cap starts at $350,000 for injury cases and $500,000 for wrongful death (as of 2023), rising annually until reaching $750,000 and $1,000,000. Economic damages (medical costs, lost earnings, life care) remain uncapped.

What must be proven in a California medical malpractice case?

That the provider's care fell below the standard of care of a reasonably careful practitioner in the same field, and that the lapse caused injury. Both elements almost always require testimony from qualified medical experts; juries are instructed they must follow the expert evidence on the standard of care (CACI No. 501). Poor outcome alone is not malpractice.

Can I sue a hospital for a doctor's mistake?

Sometimes. Hospitals are liable for their employees' negligence (nurses, technicians) under respondeat superior, and can be directly liable for negligent credentialing or systems failures (Elam v. College Park Hospital (1982) 132 Cal.App.3d 332). Many physicians, however, are independent contractors, so naming the right defendants (physician, medical group, hospital) is a threshold task in these cases.

Are attorney fees limited in California malpractice cases?

Yes. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6146, updated by AB 35, caps contingency fees in medical negligence cases on a sliding scale, 25% if the case resolves before a civil complaint or demand for arbitration is filed, and 33% thereafter, with court review available. The cap is one reason attorneys screen these expert-heavy cases carefully before filing.

Legal information, not legal advice.

From the registry's blog

Medical Malpractice in California: Law and the RecordWhat California law says about medical malpractice claims, filing deadlines, and damages - plus how to check the public record of who is licensed to handle

From the answer files

What is the deadline to sue for medical malpractice in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.5Is there a cap on medical malpractice damages in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2Why do medical malpractice attorneys decline some cases?Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2What are the steps in a California medical malpractice case?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 364How do I get my medical records in California?Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 123110What if the malpractice happened at a public hospital in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2What is informed consent in California medical care?Cobbs v. Grant (1972) 8 Cal.3d 229Can an arbitration agreement block my malpractice lawsuit?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1295Can I sue a doctor for misdiagnosis in California?Landeros v. Flood (1976) 17 Cal.3d 399What should I ask before hiring a malpractice lawyer in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6146

Medical Malpractice in all 58 counties

Medical Malpractice in Los Angeles CountySeat: Los AngelesMedical Malpractice in San Diego CountySeat: San DiegoMedical Malpractice in San Francisco CountySeat: San FranciscoMedical Malpractice in Alameda CountySeat: OaklandMedical Malpractice in Santa Clara CountySeat: San JoseMedical Malpractice in Sonoma CountySeat: Santa RosaMedical Malpractice in Humboldt CountySeat: EurekaMedical Malpractice in Shasta CountySeat: ReddingMedical Malpractice in Sacramento CountySeat: SacramentoMedical Malpractice in Yolo CountySeat: WoodlandMedical Malpractice in Monterey CountySeat: SalinasMedical Malpractice in Santa Barbara CountySeat: Santa BarbaraMedical Malpractice in Fresno CountySeat: FresnoMedical Malpractice in Kern CountySeat: BakersfieldMedical Malpractice in El Dorado CountySeat: PlacervilleMedical Malpractice in Riverside CountySeat: RiversideMedical Malpractice in San Bernardino CountySeat: San BernardinoMedical Malpractice in Orange CountySeat: Santa AnaMedical Malpractice in San Joaquin CountySeat: StocktonMedical Malpractice in Stanislaus CountySeat: ModestoMedical Malpractice in Ventura CountySeat: VenturaMedical Malpractice in Tulare CountySeat: VisaliaMedical Malpractice in San Luis Obispo CountySeat: San Luis ObispoMedical Malpractice in Alpine CountySeat: MarkleevilleMedical Malpractice in Amador CountySeat: JacksonMedical Malpractice in Butte CountySeat: OrovilleMedical Malpractice in Calaveras CountySeat: San AndreasMedical Malpractice in Colusa CountySeat: ColusaMedical Malpractice in Contra Costa CountySeat: MartinezMedical Malpractice in Del Norte CountySeat: Crescent CityMedical Malpractice in Glenn CountySeat: WillowsMedical Malpractice in Imperial CountySeat: El CentroMedical Malpractice in Inyo CountySeat: IndependenceMedical Malpractice in Kings CountySeat: HanfordMedical Malpractice in Lake CountySeat: LakeportMedical Malpractice in Lassen CountySeat: SusanvilleMedical Malpractice in Madera CountySeat: MaderaMedical Malpractice in Marin CountySeat: San RafaelMedical Malpractice in Mariposa CountySeat: MariposaMedical Malpractice in Mendocino CountySeat: UkiahMedical Malpractice in Merced CountySeat: MercedMedical Malpractice in Modoc CountySeat: AlturasMedical Malpractice in Mono CountySeat: BridgeportMedical Malpractice in Napa CountySeat: NapaMedical Malpractice in Nevada CountySeat: Nevada CityMedical Malpractice in Placer CountySeat: AuburnMedical Malpractice in Plumas CountySeat: QuincyMedical Malpractice in San Benito CountySeat: HollisterMedical Malpractice in San Mateo CountySeat: Redwood CityMedical Malpractice in Santa Cruz CountySeat: Santa CruzMedical Malpractice in Sierra CountySeat: DownievilleMedical Malpractice in Siskiyou CountySeat: YrekaMedical Malpractice in Solano CountySeat: FairfieldMedical Malpractice in Sutter CountySeat: Yuba CityMedical Malpractice in Tehama CountySeat: Red BluffMedical Malpractice in Trinity CountySeat: WeavervilleMedical Malpractice in Tuolumne CountySeat: SonoraMedical Malpractice in Yuba CountySeat: Marysville

Medical Malpractice by city

Medical Malpractice in Los AngelesLos Angeles County · Los AngelesMedical Malpractice in Long BeachLos Angeles County · Los AngelesMedical Malpractice in PasadenaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesMedical Malpractice in Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesMedical Malpractice in San DiegoSan Diego County · San DiegoMedical Malpractice in Chula VistaSan Diego County · San DiegoMedical Malpractice in San FranciscoSan Francisco County · Bay AreaMedical Malpractice in OaklandAlameda County · Bay AreaMedical Malpractice in San JoseSanta Clara County · Bay AreaMedical Malpractice in Santa RosaSonoma County · North CoastMedical Malpractice in EurekaHumboldt County · North CoastMedical Malpractice in ReddingShasta County · Shasta CascadeMedical Malpractice in SacramentoSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyMedical Malpractice in DavisYolo County · Sacramento ValleyMedical Malpractice in FolsomSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyMedical Malpractice in SalinasMonterey County · Central CoastMedical Malpractice in Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County · Central CoastMedical Malpractice in FresnoFresno County · San Joaquin ValleyMedical Malpractice in BakersfieldKern County · San Joaquin ValleyMedical Malpractice in South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County · SierraMedical Malpractice in RiversideRiverside County · Inland EmpireMedical Malpractice in San BernardinoSan Bernardino County · Inland EmpireMedical Malpractice in IrvineOrange County · Orange CountyMedical Malpractice in AnaheimOrange County · Orange CountyMedical Malpractice in Santa AnaOrange County · Orange CountyMedical Malpractice in Palm SpringsRiverside County · DesertMedical Malpractice in StocktonSan Joaquin County · San Joaquin ValleyMedical Malpractice in ModestoStanislaus County · San Joaquin ValleyMedical Malpractice in OxnardVentura County · Central CoastMedical Malpractice in FremontAlameda County · Bay AreaMedical Malpractice in VisaliaTulare County · San Joaquin ValleyMedical Malpractice in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

Adjacent shelves of the law

Personal InjuryCal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1Elder LawCal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.7InsuranceCal. Ins. Code § 2071

Full Medical Malpractice rosters, by surname

Abbott – Dummit · Los Angeles County189 attorneysDunbar – Klimianok · Los Angeles County184 attorneysKnight – Ravis · Los Angeles County185 attorneysReback – Zwart · Los Angeles County186 attorneysAbdelmalak – Zwick · Orange County301 attorneysAkyol – Zurmati · Sacramento County140 attorneysAbrams – Zryd · San Diego County262 attorneysAgre – Zumstein · San Francisco County124 attorneys

If cost is the concern

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Free and low-cost help in California

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279,000+ attorney records · 58 counties · Official State Bar records