How long do you have to file an injury claim in Louisiana?

On Behalf of simien | September 13, 2022 | Personal Injury

From car wrecks to cycling accidents and slips and falls, accidents happen when they are least expected. If you are hurt in an accident that is not your fault, you need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party so you can recover compensation for your damages.

However, if you intend to pursue damages following your injury, it is in your best interest that you are aware of a time limit known as the “statute of limitations.”

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury?

If you sustain an injury due to someone else’s reckless actions, you have exactly one year to file a personal injury claim in Louisiana. The statute of limitations has a serious impact on the damages you may be entitled to after the injury. If this timeline lapses, you will most likely lose your right to any compensation.

However, statutes of limitations are not always cast in stone. The clock begins to run the day you sustain the injuries. However, there are instances when the statute of limitations may be extended, such as:

• When the victim is a minor: If the accident victim is a minor, the statute of limitation’s countdown will begin on their 18th birthday. As such, they will have up to their 19th birthday to file a claim.
• When there are multiple parties at-fault: If the accident in question involved multiple liable parties (like a multi-vehicle accident), you only have to file a claim against one of the defendants within the statute of limitations period. If more evidence comes up, you may go ahead and sue the other at-fault parties even after the lapse of the statute of limitations period.

If you are hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you deserve justice. Find out how you can pursue damages for your injuries following the accident.