Law Concerning the Prescriptive Period

The time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit is provided by Louisiana statute. This applies to all personal injury cases in the state with the exception of injuries concerning certain product liability cases. Injury cases the Statutes cover may include:

  • Car accidents
  • Slip and falls
  • Assaults
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Dog Bites

CC 3493.1 is the state’s prescription period. It uses the term “delictual actions” to refer to any personal injury claim that may be pursued in civil court. The time limit on these cases is extremely short. The statute states that the action must be filed in court within two years of the date of the injury which is the shortest prescriptive period in the country. This may make it vital to understand the prescriptive period in a Lafayette personal injury case and how it could affect a person’s claim.

Talk to a Louisiana Local Attorney Today

Get a Free Case Evaluation

Tips to Quickly Move a Case Forward in Lafayette

Due to the short prescriptive period in Lafayette personal injury claims, potential plaintiffs may be advised act immediately after becoming injured. If the accident involves a car, truck, or bicycle accident, they may need to immediately obtain all police reports concerning the incident.

Injured individuals could also seek immediate medical care since many claims are most effective if the claimant has completed all medical treatment. This allows a plaintiff and their attorney to fully appreciate the full impact that the injury has had on their life.

Anyone considering a personal injury claim in Lafayette may be recommended to think about the prescriptive period and their legal rights immediately after an accident. If potential plaintiffs are able, they could take pictures following the injury of the scene of the incident. This may work to preserve evidence and could allow a lawyer to more quickly grasp the facts of the case.

Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to det...

I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of reliability. Jillie consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that everything is handled efficiently and with care. Her knowledge and work ethic make her an outstanding professional, and I would highly recommend her!

j
jazlynn meece

Baton Rouge

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. He...

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. Her communication is clear, and she truly cares about delivering results. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!

M
Mimi

Lake Charles

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs...

The team at Laborde Earls is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. While I would recommend any team member, I would strongly urge you to speak with Mrs. Courtney. I spoke with her multiple times, and each time she was patient and answered every question I had. She made me feel like I was the only client. Grateful for her and Laborde Earls!

T
Tracie M.

I highly recommend hiring Laborde Earles for your personal injury needs. They have the most professional, friendly and communicative staff who are gua...

I highly recommend hiring Laborde Earles for your personal injury needs. They have the most professional, friendly and communicative staff who are guaranteed to work hard on your case and get the outcome you deserve. Brittani C. is one of the most organized, thorough and helpful paralegals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. She keeps you informed and answers all your questions throughout the litigation process.

P
Patrick Conner

Baton Rouge

Michelle Brouillette is always so pleasant whenever I call or stop by the office. She always has a smile on her face.

C
Christine G.

Renee McCaslin is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and always goes above and beyond to make the legal process smooth and stress-free. I truly a...

Renee McCaslin is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and always goes above and beyond to make the legal process smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciate her attention to detail and genuine care for her clients!

C
Courtnie Heltz

New Orleans

I’m so grateful for the help I received from Renee McCaslin. From start to finish, they were kind, professional, and truly cared about my situat...

I’m so grateful for the help I received from Renee McCaslin. From start to finish, they were kind, professional, and truly cared about my situation. They made everything easy to understand and handled every detail with care. I felt supported the whole way through. I highly recommend Renee McCaslin to anyone looking for a paralegal who goes above and beyond.

R
Rosann Roberts

Lake Charles

I highly recommend Derek Hebert to anyone in need of a skilled and trustworthy attorney. From the very beginning, Derek was professional, honest, and ...

I highly recommend Derek Hebert to anyone in need of a skilled and trustworthy attorney. From the very beginning, Derek was professional, honest, and incredibly responsive. He took the time to explain every step of the process in clear terms and always made sure I felt informed and supported.

His attention to detail, strong communication, and genuine dedication made a stressful situation much easier to navigate. Derek went above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcome, and I’m truly grateful for his hard work.

If you’re looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, reliable, and truly cares about his clients, Derek Hebert is an outstanding choice.

B
Brylan Cormier

Lafayette

Courtney Marsh is professional and passionate about her clients! Her communication skills are top notch and she has been amazing to work with! She is ...

Courtney Marsh is professional and passionate about her clients! Her communication skills are top notch and she has been amazing to work with! She is truly a blessing!

T
Tori E.

Over 1,700 5-Star Reviews

Read More Testimonials

Understanding the Statute of Limitations in a Lafayette Personal Injury Case May Be Vital

Louisiana’s prescriptive period law states that all civil suits for personal injury must be in court within two years of the date of injury. This could be a very short timeframe to put together a lawsuit. If this time limit expires, an injured person may not be able to ask the court to hear the case.

Insurance companies and defense attorneys are aware of this rule and may refuse to engage in settlement talks if the time limit expires. It is vital to be prepared to act immediately to protect your rights. Contact an attorney today to get started on your case and to meet the prescriptive period in a Lafayette personal injury case, contact an attorney and get started on your claim.

branded accent

View More Articles Trusted Voices Sharing What Matters

Blog Louisiana’s New Comparative Fault Law (2026): What the 51% Rule Means for Your Compensation

If you were injured in Louisiana, a recent change in the law could determine whether you recover compensation or nothing at all. As of Janua...

Read Full Article
woman in neck brace talking to lawyer

Blog Louisiana Sets New Two-Year Statute of Limitations for Tort Claims

Now that Louisiana has set a new two-year statute of limitations on tort claims, injury victims will have more time to take legal action for...

Read Full Article
law statue

Blog Digger Earles Honored With Appointment to GLP-1 Plaintiff Steering Committee

In a significant victory for plaintiffs in the high-stakes multi-district GLP-1 litigation, renowned Lafayette personal injury lawyer Digger...

Read Full Article
big rig car accident

Blog $1,400,000 Settlement for Alexandria Woman in Car Accident

When it comes to being injured in a car accident, choosing the right attorney can be the difference between getting $1,400,000 in 9 months i...

Read Full Article
mardi gras beads

Blog Safety Tips to Help Stay Safe During Your Mardi Gras Celebration

Mardi Gras is a grand and celebratory holiday filled with parades, live music, picnics, and much more. From the crazy costumes to the colorf...

Read Full Article

Guidance you can trust, from people who actually know.

View All FAQs View All Articles

Our Locations Find Your Local Office

Get Legal Help Today Talk to a Louisiana Local Attorney Today

25+ Attorneys Collaboration on every case

Call Anytime Speak to our local team 24/7

(337) 777-7777
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.
Send Message
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (337) 777-7777.