Louisiana Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

A personal injury claim enables you to hold a party liable for medical costs, property damage, and other losses if they are found to be at fault for the accident and your injuries. Like any legal claim, there are important deadlines and requirements to be aware of. Keeping an eye on the Louisiana personal injury statute of limitations is crucial if you have been injured and are navigating the process of a claim.

A statute of limitations is a legal deadline. In civil claims court, the statute of limitations sets the deadline that the claimant must file their claim by. Personal injury claims have a statute of limitations; if an injured party does not file their claim within that time period, the court will bar their claim, and they will be unable to recover compensation for their injury.

What Is Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims?

As outlined in Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1, effective July 1, 2024, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in Louisiana.

This is a change from the prior law. Before the change, our state had a one-year prescriptive period for most personal injury claims — one of the shortest deadlines in the country. The 2024 legislative change doubled that period, giving injured Louisianans more time to evaluate their options, seek medical treatment, and retain legal representation before their deadline expires.

However, there are exceptions to the two-year filing deadline. Under certain circumstances, you may have a much shorter time to act, and in others, you may have an extended filing deadline. You must promptly consult an experienced Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer to be certain of how long you have to file your claim.

The new two-year filing deadline generally applies to personal injury claims arising from negligence, such as those involving:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Workplace injuries
• Slip and fall accidents
• Dog bites
• Dangerous products
• Medical malpractice
• Wrongful death

What Is a Prescriptive Period Versus a Louisiana Personal Injury Statute of Limitations?

Louisiana uses the term “prescriptive period” rather than “statute of limitations,” but they mean the same thing. It is the legal deadline for filing a claim. Once the prescriptive period expires, your claim is prescribed — extinguished by operation of law — and no court will hear it regardless of how clear the other party’s fault may be.

The prescriptive period is not a suggestion. It is an absolute deadline. Insurance companies and defense attorneys track these deadlines carefully and will move to dismiss any claim filed even one day after the period expires.

Are There Exceptions to the Two-Year Louisiana Personal Injury Statute of Limitations?

Yes, there are some exceptions to the two-year Louisiana personal injury statute of limitations. While the two-year prescriptive period applies broadly to legal claims arising from negligent acts, different deadlines apply to certain specific types of claims:

• Medical malpractice — Louisiana’s Medical Malpractice Act imposes a one-year deadline. The one-year time period runs from the date of the alleged act, omission, or neglect, or from one year from the date of discovery of the alleged act, omission, or neglect. However, it also imposes a strict three-year overall limitation regardless of when the negligence was discovered. Additionally, the Act establishes specific notice requirements. Medical malpractice claims are governed by separate rules and require prompt action, given the complexity of the notice process.
• Claims against government entities — if your injury was caused by a government agency, government vehicle, or a defective government-owned road or property, special notice requirements and shorter deadlines may apply. Claims against the State of Louisiana or its political subdivisions are governed by the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act and typically require a prompt formal claim to be submitted before a claim can be filed.
• Wrongful death claims — under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2, surviving family members have one year from the date of death, or two years from the day that the injury or damage that caused their death was sustained, whichever is longer.
• Survival actions — a survival action is brought on behalf of the injured person’s estate for the pain and suffering they experienced before death. The prescriptive period for survival actions is also one year from the date of death, or two years from the day that the injury or damage that caused their death was sustained, as outlined in the Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.1.
• Minor children — generally, the prescriptive period for a minor’s personal injury claim does not begin to run until the child reaches the age of majority (18 in Louisiana). However, this area of law involves nuances that require prompt legal advice.
• Product liability claims – claims arising from dangerous or defective products are governed by the Louisiana Product Liability Act and have a one-year filing deadline that runs from the date that the injury was sustained or the product defect was discovered.

When Does the Two-Year Clock Start for Louisiana Personal Injury Claims?

In most cases, the two-year prescriptive period begins running on the date of the accident or injury. However, Louisiana law recognizes several doctrines that can affect when the clock starts:

• Discovery rule — in some cases, an injury is not immediately apparent. Louisiana courts have recognized that the prescriptive period may begin when the injured person knew or reasonably should have known that they had a claim. This most commonly applies in toxic exposure cases, medical malpractice, or situations where the cause of injury was not immediately obvious.
• Contra non valentem — Louisiana’s doctrine of contra non valentem prevents the prescriptive period from running when a party was prevented from asserting their claim through no fault of their own. This is a narrow exception that requires specific facts and legal analysis.

Do not assume these exceptions apply to your case. Always consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an injury rather than relying on potential exceptions to extend your deadline.

Why You Should Not Wait Until the Louisiana Personal Injury Deadline

Having two years does not mean you should wait two years. There are important reasons to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident:

• Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage is typically overwritten within 30 to 90 days. Skid marks fade. Vehicles are repaired or scrapped. Witnesses move away or forget details. The sooner an attorney begins investigating, the stronger your case will be.
• Medical documentation is critical. A gap between your accident and your first medical treatment gives insurance companies ammunition to argue that your injuries are not serious or are unrelated to the crash. Prompt medical attention creates a foundation for your claim.
• Insurance companies start working immediately. The moment an accident is reported, the other party’s insurer begins building its defense. You should have legal representation in place before you speak with any insurance adjuster.
• Complex cases take time to build. Serious injury cases involving permanent disability, lost earning capacity, or multiple liable parties require extensive investigation, expert witnesses, and careful preparation. Starting early gives your attorney the time needed to build the strongest possible case.
• Medical bills and lost wages begin accumulating immediately after an accident. Medical records documenting your injuries need to be preserved quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to build a strong personal injury case — regardless of where in Louisiana your accident occurred.

Louisiana’s 2026 Comparative Fault Law and How It Affects Your Claim. 

Filing within the prescriptive period is necessary but not sufficient. You also need to understand how Louisiana’s comparative fault law affects your right to recovery.

As of January 1, 2026, Louisiana follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323. This means:

If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for your accident, you can recover compensation, but it will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation.

This is a significant change from Louisiana’s prior pure comparative fault system, under which you could recover compensation even if you were 99% at fault. That rule no longer applies.

The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney Soon After a Personal Injury

There were roughly 59,000 reported car crash injuries in Louisiana in 2024. The decision to hire an attorney after a car wreck, dog bite, assault, fall, or other cause of a personal injury can play a critical role in protecting your eligibility to pursue compensation. Many people focus on the two-year prescription period for injury claims, but there are other benefits to decisive action as well.

Delaying action could lead to setbacks and challenges. The burden of proof for any claim falls on the party seeking compensation. Surveillance footage may be overwritten, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and physical evidence from the scene of the injury may no longer be available after days or weeks pass.

Seeking medical treatment promptly also creates documentation that links your injuries to the incident. This makes it more difficult for insurance companies to argue that your condition was unrelated or less serious than claimed.

An attorney can immediately begin preserving evidence, communicating with insurers, calculating your damages, and preparing a strong claim. This can be done while you focus on your physical recovery and your family’s well-being.

Steps to Take After an Injury

The aftermath of a personal injury in Broadmoor, Highland, Springlake, or elsewhere in Louisiana can be chaotic. However, taking the right steps can play a crucial role in laying the groundwork for a successful injury claim.

Your top priority should be your health and safety. More than 64 million Americans will suffer a brain injury during their lifetime. Symptoms from those types of bodily harm are not always immediately noticeable.

Call 911 to report the accident so the police and paramedics can arrive. Allow EMS to check you for injuries. The shock of a personal injury could leave you unaware of the full extent of your injuries.

Once police have secured the scene, you can take photos of the area where you were hurt. Answer questions by law enforcement honestly and objectively. Later on, you can request a copy of the police report.

Follow your doctor’s recovery guidelines carefully, and do not put off hiring an attorney. Personal Injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to worry about paying up front for your legal support.

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Louisiana is an at-fault state when it comes to insurance claims. This means that the negligent party, often through their insurance policy, is responsible for compensating you for the harm you endured.

Anytime you have to work with an insurance company, you can run into unexpected challenges and setbacks. For example, car insurance companies may be motivated to downplay the harm you endured. They might do this to save the company money and avoid paying what you’re owed.

Because the state follows a comparative fault framework for injury claims, the insurance company may benefit from accusing you of contributing to your own injury. That way, they can minimize your settlement.

When you hire a dedicated personal injury lawyer, you gain support from a Louisiana personal injury attorney who understands the state’s complex personal injury laws. This knowledge can shape the outcome of your personal injury claim.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in Louisiana?

The length of time it takes to settle a personal injury case in Louisiana varies significantly, depending on your unique case and how complex it is. There is no set amount of time a case will take.

A claim may be settled more quickly if:

• You work with an experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney.
• There is significant supportive evidence.
• The other party is willing to settle for a fair amount.

However, if fault is contested, you do not have an attorney investigating the accident, or the case proceeds to litigation, it will take much longer.

Can You Sue for Pain and Suffering in Louisiana?

Yes, you can sue for pain and suffering in Louisiana. When you have the grounds for a civil personal injury claim, you can recover any damages that you directly sustained from that injury.

Pain and suffering are types of non-economic damages that compensate an injured party for their emotional, physical, and psychological trauma. While these damages do not have a specific financial cost, they are still compensable damages.

Does Louisiana’s Two-Year Deadline Apply to All Personal Injury Claims?

No, the two-year personal injury prescriptive period applies to most personal injury claims in Louisiana, but important exceptions do exist. In some circumstances, you could have a shorter deadline, and in others, you could have an extended deadline. Never assume the standard deadline applies to your situation without consulting an experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney.

What Happens If I Miss the Louisiana Personal Injury Filing Deadline?

If you miss the prescriptive period for a personal injury claim, you will be unable to recover compensation for your damages. Contact Murphy Law Firm immediately if you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongdoing.

Contact Murphy Law Firm Today

Murphy Law Firm represents personal injury cases throughout Louisiana, from Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes to communities across the state. Our attorneys understand Louisiana’s unique legal system and the specific time limits that apply to every type of personal injury claim.

If you were injured in an accident in Louisiana, do not wait. Visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our attorneys can evaluate your claim, confirm which deadlines apply to your specific situation, and begin building your case immediately. We’ve advocated for injured Louisianans for thirty-three years, and we are not done yet.

About The Author

Kristy Griffin

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