How much is a fracture claim worth in California?

California fracture settlements track the federal US band of $15,000 – $80,000, adjusted for California's fault rule (pure comparative negligence) and any applicable state cap. The position within the band turns on severity, prognosis, recovery time, and the strength of the medical paper trail.

What is the statute of limitations for fracture claims in California?

2 years for personal injury; 1 year for medical malpractice (with 3-year repose). Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1, § 340.5. Filing after the period expires generally bars the claim absent a tolling exception.

Do California's damages caps reduce fracture settlements?

Yes — California applies the following caps that may bear on a fracture claim: MICRA non-economic cap (med-mal); Proposition 213. Caps are applied to the gross award before any fault-allocation reduction.

Does California require no-fault first-party recovery for auto-related fracture claims?

No. California is a traditional tort jurisdiction; the at-fault driver's insurer is the primary source of recovery for auto-related fracture claims.

Should I hire a California fracture attorney?

For all but the most modest claims, yes. California's fault rule and caps materially affect the calculus, and adjusters value represented claims significantly higher. Most California personal injury attorneys work on contingency (33–40% typical), with no fee unless you recover.

★ California · fracture

Fracture settlements
in California.

By MyClaimWorth EditorialPublished 9 May 20266 min read

California applies pure comparative negligence and the MICRA cap on medical malpractice non-economic damages, restructured by AB 35 in 2023 onto a phased schedule. For fracture claims specifically, the band is built from the state-by-state tort law · jury verdict reporters · statutory caps framework and then adjusted for California's pure comparative negligence and any applicable statutory cap.

California applies pure comparative negligence, which means a fracture claimant who is partly responsible for their own injury still recovers — the award is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them, but never barred. This is materially more claimant-friendly than the modified or contributory rules in neighbouring jurisdictions, and it shows up in fracture settlements where comparative fault is contested (the claimant who failed to mitigate, the unbelted occupant, the worker who departed from a safety protocol).

California's caps (micra non-economic cap (med-mal), proposition 213) apply to the non-economic component of fracture damages and can compress upper-tier verdicts. The exact application depends on the cause of action and the head of damage; the caps section on this page sets out each ceiling and the conditions under which it bites.

★ band · US federal frame

$15,000 – $80,000

Wrist or arm fracture

Settlement aggregates

The US band is the starting point. California's fault rule and any applicable cap then adjust the figure.

united states · sister site

Your fracture claim in California. See the number for your own case.

The range above is a starting point. FairSettlement gives you a free estimate for your own fracture case in about two minutes, no cost and no obligation.

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★ CA · statute of limitations

2 years for personal injury; 1 year for medical malpractice (with 3-year repose)

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1, § 340.5

★ CA · fault rule

Pure comparative negligence

Pure comparative negligence under Li v. Yellow Cab (1975) — recovery available at any fault percentage.

★ CA · caps

What caps recovery.

Statutory caps that may bear on a fracture settlement in California.

MICRA non-economic cap (med-mal)
Medical malpractice
$390,000 (non-death) / $500,000 (death) for 2025, rising annually
Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2 (as amended by AB 35)
Proposition 213
Uninsured drivers and DUI defendants
Bars non-economic damages
Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.4

★ fracture · same region & fault regime

Compare to like jurisdictions.

How California's fault rule and limitation period compare to jurisdictions in the same US region and to those running the same fault rule for fracture claims.

Jurisdiction	Fault rule	Limitation	Fracture page
California · you are here	Pure comparative negligence	2 years for personal injury; 1 year for medical malpractice (with 3-year repose)	—
Colorado	Modified comparative — 50% bar	2 years for personal injury; 3 years for motor vehicle	CO · fracture →
Hawaii	Modified comparative — 51% bar	2 years from date of injury	HI · fracture
Idaho	Modified comparative — 50% bar	2 years from date of injury	ID · fracture
Montana	Modified comparative — 51% bar	3 years from date of injury	MT · fracture
Nevada	Modified comparative — 51% bar	2 years for personal injury; 3 years for medical malpractice	NV · fracture →
Oregon	Modified comparative — 51% bar	2 years from date of injury	OR · fracture →
Kentucky	Pure comparative negligence	1 year for personal injury (one of the shortest in the US)	KY · fracture →
Louisiana	Pure comparative negligence	1 year (la prescription) — extended to 2 years by Act 423 (2024) for tort claims accruing on or after July 1, 2024	LA · fracture →
Mississippi	Pure comparative negligence	3 years from date of injury	MS · fracture →
Missouri	Pure comparative negligence	5 years for personal injury; 2 years for medical malpractice	MO · fracture →
Connecticut	Modified comparative — 51% bar	2 years from date of injury	CT · fracture →
Delaware	Modified comparative — 51% bar	2 years from date of injury	DE · fracture

★ CA · fracture · frequently asked

Common questions.

Each answer is independently coherent and references the relevant statute or authority document.

How much is a fracture claim worth in California?
California fracture settlements track the federal US band of $15,000 – $80,000, adjusted for California's fault rule (pure comparative negligence) and any applicable state cap. The position within the band turns on severity, prognosis, recovery time, and the strength of the medical paper trail.
What fault rule applies to fracture claims in California?
Pure comparative negligence. Pure comparative negligence under Li v. Yellow Cab (1975) — recovery available at any fault percentage.
What is the statute of limitations for fracture claims in California?
2 years for personal injury; 1 year for medical malpractice (with 3-year repose). Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1, § 340.5. Filing after the period expires generally bars the claim absent a tolling exception.
Do California's damages caps reduce fracture settlements?
Yes — California applies the following caps that may bear on a fracture claim: MICRA non-economic cap (med-mal); Proposition 213. Caps are applied to the gross award before any fault-allocation reduction.
Does California require no-fault first-party recovery for auto-related fracture claims?
No. California is a traditional tort jurisdiction; the at-fault driver's insurer is the primary source of recovery for auto-related fracture claims.
Should I hire a California fracture attorney?
For all but the most modest claims, yes. California's fault rule and caps materially affect the calculus, and adjusters value represented claims significantly higher. Most California personal injury attorneys work on contingency (33–40% typical), with no fee unless you recover.

★ all of CA

California overview

Fault rule, statute, caps, and key facts for California as a whole.

★ federal frame

Fracture in United States

Fracture band structure and severity tiers at the US level.

★ all 15 countries

Fracture · everywhere

Cross-jurisdiction comparison of fracture bands.

★ editorial note

Figures on this page are starting points: the US band adjusted for California's statutory framework. They are not quotes for any specific case. For representation, consult an attorney admitted in California. See /methodology, /sources, and /disclaimer.

Fracture settlementsin California.

Fracture settlements
in California.