Louisiana Personal Injury Statute of Limitations [2025 Updated]

When you are injured because of the recklessness or negligence of another person or entity, you can likely hold them liable with a personal injury claim. However, you don’t have forever to file this claim. It’s important to be aware of the Louisiana personal injury statute of limitations, which outlines the amount of time you have to file. If you miss the deadline, you will be unable to secure financial recovery.
Since July 1, 2024, the statute of limitations for personal injury in Louisiana is two years.

Understanding the Statute of Limitations

In civil court, the statute of limitations is a deadline by which you have to file a civil claim. Different actions have different deadlines. In Louisiana, the statute of limitations is also called a liberative prescription. Each state has unique statutes of limitations, and different local laws in Louisiana may also impact this time limit.

This time limit exists so that a person isn’t liable for something they did indefinitely. While this is important, it is also important that those who are wronged can file their claim. The prior statute of limitations was one year, giving individuals a very short window to hire a Louisiana personal injury lawyer, investigate their accident, build a case, and file their claim.

The new law provides more time for these important actions, enabling those like you with claims to understand the scope of their injuries, investigate the at-fault party, and secure important evidence. However, there is still a limited window, and you need to act quickly after an injury. Miss the deadline, and you cannot file a civil claim.

What Cases Follow the Two-Year Statute of Limitations?

There are several types of personal injury claims that follow the two-year statute of limitations, including:

• Slip-and-fall accidents. Of the preventable deaths in the state, falls were the third-most common cause according to the National Safety Council (NSC) 2023 data. Other premises liability claims also follow this deadline.
• Car accidents. Car accidents were the second-most common cause of preventable deaths in Louisiana, according to the NSC in 2023. In 2024, there were more than 59,000 suspected injuries in motor vehicle accidents in the state. Other accidents, like motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents, are also included.
• Truck accidents. There were 2,089 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in Louisiana in 2024, and 75 of those crashes were fatal.

This statute of limitations was made law on July 1, 2024. For personal injury cases that occurred prior to this date, the old statute of limitations applies. This gives a time limit of only one year from the date of the injury. There may be some exceptions that extend this deadline, so it is important to talk with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Are There Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations?

There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations for personal injuries. In some cases, the deadline is extended, while in other cases, there is a much shorter window to file. If you believe you qualify for an exception that gives you more time to file, you will have the burden of proof to show the court why it applies. Talking with an attorney can help you determine whether you should file or not.

One exception includes claims filed by minors. The statute of limitations pauses until a minor reaches the age of majority. It’s important to remember that injuries prior to July 2024 are subject to the one-year limit. An attorney can review other potential exceptions.

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Louisiana personal injury laws can be complicated, and they are even harder to understand when you are dealing with a painful injury. By working with a personal injury attorney, you have a better chance of a successful case and get support along each step of the process.

An attorney is familiar with the state and local laws and can help you understand your options for compensation and the likelihood of your case succeeding. You can build a strong case with an attorney.