Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code § 7282.1

If a person who is or has been a recipient of services provided by the State Department of Developmental Services or the State Department of State Hospitals in a state hospital, or the guardian, conservator, or personal representative of the person, brings an action or claim against a third party for an injury, disorder, or disability, which resulted in the need for care, maintenance, or treatment in a state hospital, the person or the guardian, conservator, or personal representative shall within 30 days of filing the action or claim give to the Director of Developmental Services, for hospitals under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Developmental Services, or the Director of State Hospitals, for hospitals under the jurisdiction of the State Department of State Hospitals, written notice of the action or claim and of the name of the court or agency in which the action or claim is to be brought. Proof of the notice shall be filed in the action or claim. For pending actions or claims filed prior to January 1, 1986, proof of the notice shall be filed by February 1, 1986. Any judgment, award, or settlement arising out of the action or claim shall be subject to a lien in favor of the Director of Developmental Services or the Director of State Hospitals, for hospitals under the jurisdiction of that department, for the cost of state hospital care and treatment furnished with respect to the subject of the action or claim, however: (a) A lien shall not attach to that portion of a money judgment awarded for pain and suffering. (b) A lien shall not attach if over 180 days has elapsed between the time when notice was given to the department and the time when the department has filed its lien with the court or agency in which the action or claim has been brought. (c) A lien authorized by this section shall not be placed for services which have been paid through the state Medi-Cal program. (d) This section shall not apply to actions or claims in which a final judgment, award, or settlement has been entered into prior to January 1, 1986.