Hurt at a Public Park, Trail or Building in California

Table of Contents

Can I hold a city, county or district responsible if I’m hurt at a park, trail or public building in California?

Sometimes. A public entity is liable for an injury caused by a dangerous condition of its property if the property was in a dangerous condition at the time of the injury, the condition caused the injury, the risk was reasonably foreseeable, and either a negligent or wrongful act or omission of a public employee, acting within the scope of employment, created the condition or the entity had notice of it in time to protect against it (Government Code section 835).

Trails and recreational access roads

A public entity is not liable for an injury caused by a condition of a trail used for fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, riding, water sports, recreational or scenic purposes, or as access to those areas (Government Code section 831.4). The same applies to unpaved roads giving access to those areas, but not to city streets or county, state or federal highways.

Paved paths that lead to unimproved land

For a paved trail, walkway, path or sidewalk on an easement granted to a public entity that gives access to unimproved property, the immunity applies only if the entity reasonably attempts to give adequate warnings of hazards to health and safety (Government Code section 831.4).

Built features versus natural conditions

A public entity is not liable for an injury caused by a natural condition of unimproved public property (Government Code section 831.2). For other conditions, such as stairs, a railing or a building floor, the general dangerous-condition test above applies (Government Code section 835).

Presenting the claim

A claim for injury against a public entity must be presented within six months after the cause of action accrues (Government Code section 911.2). For a city, county or district, it is delivered to the clerk, secretary or auditor, or mailed to one of them or to the governing body at its principal office (Government Code section 915).

What to record

Photos of the spot where you were hurt and what caused it.
The name of the park, building or trail and the exact location.
Names of staff or rangers you spoke with and any report they made.
Medical records from the visit and afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Does the natural-condition rule cover lakes and rivers?

Yes. The statute names natural conditions of any lake, stream, bay, river or beach on unimproved public property (Government Code section 831.2).

If you were hurt on public property, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There are no fees and no case costs unless we win.

About the Law Offices of J. Chrisp

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee and no case costs unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.

Hurt at a Public Park, Trail or Government Building in California