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Louisiana Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Louisiana — a civil law state where the concept is "liberative prescription," not a statute of limitations. Act 423 of 2024 doubled the tort period from one year to two, effective July 1, 2024, prospectively only.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026
Claim Types
12
claim types tracked
Filing Range
1–10
year filing range
Govt. Notice
2
yrs to notify govt.
5 of these entries are marked “Unverified.” They have been added to the register but not yet checked line-by-line against the current statute text. Treat those figures as a starting point only, and confirm the citation at its official source before relying on it.
2 YEARS
Personal Injury
Two years from the day injury or damage is sustained — but only for actions arising on or after July 1, 2024. Before that date the period was one year, and Act 423 applies prospectively only.
La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1 ✓ Verified
1 YEARS
Medical Malpractice
One year from the act or from discovery, with a three-year outer limit from the act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 9:5628 ✓ Verified
10 YEARS
Written Contract
Ten years for a personal action, which is how Louisiana treats most contract claims.
La. Civ. Code art. 3499 Unverified
2 YEARS
Property Damage
Two years for damage to movable (personal) property, running from the day damage is sustained.
La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Defamation
Two years, as a delictual action, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2024.
La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Product Liability
Two years for a claim under the Louisiana Products Liability Act, for actions arising on or after July 1, 2024.
La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Wrongful Death
The LONGER of one year from the date of death or two years from the day the injury or damage was sustained.
La. Civ. Code art. 2315.2(B) ✓ Verified
10 YEARS
Fraud
Ten years where the fraud is pleaded as vitiating consent to an obligation; two years where it is pleaded as a delict.
La. Civ. Code arts. 3492 (repealed), 3499 Unverified
10 YEARS
Breach of Oral Contract
Ten years, the same as a written contract — Louisiana does not shorten the period for unwritten agreements.
La. Civ. Code art. 3499 Unverified
1 YEARS
Legal Malpractice
One year from the act or from discovery, with a three-year repose.
La. Rev. Stat. § 9:5605 Unverified
2 YEARS
Assault & Battery
Two years, as a delictual action, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2024.
La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Trespass to Land
Two years, commencing when the owner of the immovable acquired or should have acquired knowledge of the damage.
La. Civ. Code art. 3493.2 Unverified
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Legal Forms
2
years
Government claims notice
Generally 2 years, no universal notice requirement — La. Rev. Stat. § 13:5106 et seq. Louisiana does not impose a short universal notice-of-claim deadline of the New York or New Jersey kind. Suits against the state and its political subdivisions run under La. R.S. tit. 13 ch. 5, with damages caps and venue restrictions that often matter more than timing. Some political subdivisions impose their own notice requirements by ordinance. Not confirmed against primary text; URL needs repointing.

Common Questions About Louisiana Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Louisiana?

It depends on the type of claim. Louisiana filing deadlines range from 1 year to 2 years — for example, personal injury 2 years, medical malpractice 1 year, defamation 2 years.

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana?

2 years under La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1. Two years from the day injury or damage is sustained — but only for actions arising on or after July 1, 2024. Before that date the period was one year, and Act 423 applies prospect… Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Louisiana?

2 years under La. Civ. Code art. 2315.2(B). The LONGER of one year from the date of death or two years from the day the injury or damage was sustained. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Louisiana?

1 year under La. Rev. Stat. § 9:5628. One year from the act or from discovery, with a three-year outer limit from the act. Full medical malpractice rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Louisiana?

2 years under La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1. Two years, as a delictual action, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2024. Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Louisiana?

2 years under La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1. Two years for damage to movable (personal) property, running from the day damage is sustained. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Louisiana?

Often, yes. Generally 2 years, no universal notice requirement under La. Rev. Stat. § 13:5106 et seq.. This is usually much shorter than the ordinary deadline.

Know your rights — check the claim type that matches your situation, then confirm the deadline with a licensed attorney.
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