Louisiana injury claims

From New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport to the rural counties in between, people in Louisiana are hurt in car crashes, falls, workplace accidents and more. This page covers the Louisiana-specific rules that frame those claims and how to get a free review from an independent attorney licensed in the state.

Where people get hurt in Louisiana: cities, roads and industries

The metro areas around New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport hold much of Louisiana's population and traffic, but people in smaller communities are hurt on farm roads, county highways and job sites as well.

Drivers across Louisiana rely on I-10, I-12, I-49 and I-20. Congestion, speed differences between trucks and cars, and weather all play a part in the crashes reported on these roads.

Industries such as petrochemicals and refining, offshore oil and gas, shipping and ports and seafood employ a large share of Louisiana's workforce, and each brings its own injury risks that can lead to workers' comp and third-party claims.

Common injury claims in Louisiana

Louisiana's fault rule in plain words

Louisiana changed its fault rule recently. For claims before January 1, 2026, the state used pure comparative fault, which reduces an award by the injured person's share of fault without cutting it off. After that date the sources we use list a modified 51% bar: a person found 51% or more at fault cannot recover, and anyone below that line has the recovery reduced by their percentage.

Which rule governs can depend on dates and facts, so a Louisiana-licensed attorney should look at any claim that straddles the change, whether it involves a wreck on I-10 near New Orleans or a fall at a business in Baton Rouge.

Filing time frames in Louisiana (general information)

The general limitations statute for personal injury in Louisiana is La. C.C. art. 3492/3493.1. Our sources describe its general period this way: 1 yr if before 7/1/2024; 2 yrs after. Changes and special rules apply, so treat this only as a starting point.

Treat any listed period as a general framework, not a countdown for your situation. Exceptions for minors, delayed discovery, government defendants and specific claim types can change the date, sometimes dramatically. A licensed attorney is the right person to confirm it.

Claims against a government agency in Louisiana

When the party at fault is a public body, such as a Louisiana agency, a city bus system or a county road department, different rules apply.

For claims against the state, the sources we use summarize the Louisiana rule as: No special notice; normal prescription. Cities, counties and other local bodies may have their own notice requirements.

Anyone hurt on a public sidewalk in Baton Rouge, by a transit vehicle or at a public facility should treat notice rules as urgent and raise them with a licensed attorney early.

Car insurance in Louisiana: minimums

Drivers in Louisiana must carry liability coverage of at least 15/30/25, meaning $15,000 per injured person, $30,000 per crash and $25,000 for property.

Auto claims in Louisiana follow a traditional fault-based system. It is worth checking your own policy's declarations page for UM/UIM and MedPay, since minimum limits are often lower than the cost of a serious injury.

Animal bite liability in Louisiana

We have not confirmed how Louisiana handles animal bite liability, so we don't summarize it here. In general, states use either a statute that makes owners responsible or common-law rules that look at what the owner knew and how the animal was controlled.

Whatever the rule, save photos of the injury, the owner's name and address, vaccination information and any animal-control report. Read more on our animal bite claims page.

Workers' compensation in Louisiana

Workers' compensation is a no-fault system: injured employees receive benefits for medical care and lost wages without proving their employer was careless, and in exchange the employer is generally protected from being sued. That is often called the exclusive remedy rule.

Comp claims can be disputed when a worker is classified as an independent contractor, when the injury happened outside the course of work, or when notice to the employer was late. For workers in petrochemicals and refining or shipping and ports, reporting an injury to a supervisor promptly, in writing, is a good habit.

Workers who are hurt while driving for work, for example on I-12, may have both a comp claim and a claim against the at-fault driver.

What to do after an injury in Louisiana

1. Put your health first: get checked out, follow up, and keep the paperwork.
2. Make sure there is an official record, whether a police report, a store incident report or written notice to your employer.
3. Photograph everything: the scene, vehicles, hazards and injuries. Write down names and phone numbers of witnesses.
4. Avoid signing releases or giving recorded statements to another person's insurer before getting a free review.
5. File a free claim or call (833) 822-7800 to have an independent attorney licensed in Louisiana review it.