Good News: You Now Have Two Years to File Your Louisiana Personal Injury Lawsuit

For years, Louisiana had one of the shortest deadlines in the nation for filing personal injury lawsuits. If you were hurt in an accident, you had just one year from the date of injury to file your claim or lose your right to compensation forever. That has now changed.

Louisiana Doubles the Filing Deadline

As part of the 2024 legislative session, Louisiana passed Act 423, which extends the prescription period (what other states call the statute of limitations) for personal injury claims from one year to two years. This change applies to injuries occurring after July 1, 2024.

This is welcome news for accident victims who need time to understand the full extent of their injuries, gather evidence, and find the right attorney to handle their case.

Why This Change Matters

A one-year deadline created real problems for injured people. Some injuries don’t fully manifest right away. Back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other conditions can take months to properly diagnose. Victims were often still in treatment when their deadline to file was approaching. The short window gave insurance companies leverage to pressure quick, lowball settlements.

The new two-year period gives you more time to focus on your recovery before having to make major legal decisions.

Important: Don’t Wait Too Long

While two years provides more breathing room, we still strongly recommend consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. Evidence disappears over time. Witnesses move away or forget details. Surveillance footage gets deleted. The sooner you begin building your case, the stronger it will be.

Which Deadline Applies to You?

The applicable deadline depends on when your injury occurred. If you were injured before July 1, 2024, the one-year deadline still applies. If you were injured on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to file.

Contact Sartin Riché Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait to get legal advice. Contact Sartin Riché for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and the timeline that applies to your case.