Home / Claim Against a Government Entity (Tort-Claim Notice)
How long do I have to sue a city, county, state, or federal agency?
Days, not years — check your notice
Government defendants almost always require a written notice of claim within 60–180 days, plus a shorter overall deadline to sue. Always check the specific city/county charter too.
General rule (not individually verified for this jurisdiction): Government defendants almost always require a written notice of claim within 60–180 days, plus a shorter overall deadline to sue. Always check the specific city/county charter too. Reviewed: 2026-06-25.
⚠ Short-fuse deadlineSuing the government is the classic trap. Before you can sue a city, county, state, or federal agency, you must file a short-fuse NOTICE OF CLAIM — often within 60 to 180 days, far shorter than the regular statute of limitations. Many cities cut it shorter still by charter (45–90 days).
How to file — and what you lose if you miss it
What starts the clock: the date of the injury or incident caused by the government entity or employee.
How / where to file: file a written administrative 'notice of claim' (or SF-95 for federal claims) with the correct government office BEFORE filing any lawsuit.
If you miss it: miss the pre-suit notice window and your lawsuit is barred no matter how strong it is — even if the normal statute of limitations has not run. Some states allow narrow good-cause extensions — ask the agency immediately rather than assuming you are out of time.
Federal agencies (FTCA)
Against a federal agency you must file an administrative claim (Form SF-95) within 2 YEARS of the incident, then file suit within 6 MONTHS of the agency's written denial.
Authority: 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b); § 2675.
Don't risk your deadline
Missing the statute of limitations usually ends your case permanently. Talk to a claim against a government entity attorney—most offer a free consultation.
O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5 (6-month ante litem notice to a municipality); § 50-21-26 (12 months for the State)
State notice windows are encoded below; other states render the universal 60–180-day notice rule plus the federal FTCA timeline.
Frequently asked
How long do I have to sue a city, county, state, or federal agency?
Government defendants almost always require a written notice of claim within 60–180 days, plus a shorter overall deadline to sue. Always check the specific city/county charter too.
What happens if I miss it?
Miss the pre-suit notice window and your lawsuit is barred no matter how strong it is — even if the normal statute of limitations has not run. Narrow good-cause exceptions sometimes apply — act now and ask the agency.
When does the clock start?
the date of the injury or incident caused by the government entity or employee.
Not legal advice. This page is informational only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. Statutes of limitations are subject to many exceptions — tolling, the discovery rule, minority (under-18) and incapacity rules, government notice-of-claim deadlines (often far shorter), and statutes of repose — any of which can shorten or lengthen the deadline in your specific case. The governing statute citation and the date it was verified are shown above so you can confirm the current text yourself. Never rely on this page to decide whether you can or cannot sue. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before your deadline.