Cal. Gov't Code § 997.1

(a) Any person may file an application with the Department of General Services for compensation based on personal property loss, personal injury, or death, including noneconomic loss, arising from the Bay Bridge or I-880 Cypress structure collapse caused by the October 17, 1989, earthquake. Any application made pursuant to this section shall be presented to the department no later than April 18, 1990, on forms prescribed and provided by the department, except that a late claim may be presented to the department pursuant to the procedure specified by Section 911.4. Each presented application shall be verified under penalty of perjury and shall contain all of the following information:
1. (1) The name of the injured party or in the event of loss of life, the name and age of the decedent and the names and ages of heirs as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 377 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
2. (2) An authorization permitting the department to obtain relevant medical and employment records.
3. (3) A brief statement describing when, where, and how the injury or death occurred.
4. (4) A statement as to whether the applicant wishes to apply for emergency relief provided pursuant to Section 997.2.
(b) Upon receipt of an application, the department shall evaluate the application and may require the applicant to submit additional information or documents that are necessary to verify and evaluate the application. The department shall resolve an application within six months from the date of presentation of the application unless this period of time is extended by mutual agreement between the department and the applicant. Any application that is not resolved within this resolution period shall be deemed denied.
(c) Following resolution of an application, if the applicant desires to pursue additional remedies otherwise provided by this division, the applicant shall file a court action within six months of the mailing date of the department’s rejection or denial of the application or the applicant’s rejection of the department’s offer.
(d) Any claim pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 900) made before or after the effective date of this part for personal property loss, personal injury, or death resulting from the collapse of the Bay Bridge or the I-880 Cypress structure against the State of California, its agencies, officers, or employees, shall be deemed to be an application under this part and subject to the provisions set forth in this part. Additionally, any application made pursuant to this part shall be deemed to be in compliance with Part 3 (commencing with Section 900).
(e) Notwithstanding any other law, resolution of applications pursuant to the provisions of this part is a condition precedent to the filing of any action for personal property loss, personal injury, or death resulting from the collapse of the Bay Bridge or the I-880 Cypress structure in any court of the State of California against the State of California, its agencies, officers, or employees. Any suit filed by an applicant in any court of this state against the State of California or its agencies, officers, or employees shall be stayed pending resolution of the application.