{"id":373631,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-24T11:41:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T16:41:52","slug":"louisiana-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louisiana Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The Louisiana statute of limitations for civil actions, also known as "delictual actions<\/a>," recently changed. Louisiana had a one-year statute for all civil causes of action. Beginning July 1, 2024, the code updated the limit to two years<\/a>. Louisiana calls its statutes of limitation "prescriptive periods." These are the same as other states’ statutory periods.<\/p>\r\n

A statute of limitations<\/a> is a time limit for plaintiffs in a civil action. The statute gives plaintiffs a time period to file a claim after an injury or harm caused by another person. All states have limitations periods on civil and criminal actions. Criminal statutes limit the time prosecutors have to file criminal charges against defendants.<\/p>\r\n

If you have a civil case to file in Louisiana, contact an attorney<\/a> as soon as possible,<\/p>\r\n

Tolling and the Discovery Rule<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Although tort actions have a two-year limitations period, not all victims may learn of their injury immediately. For instance, a car accident may cause a head injury, but the nature of the injury may not be clear for several years. The "discovery rule<\/a>" extends the limit for personal injury claims from the date of discovery.<\/p>\r\n

Tolling suspends the statute for certain people. The old Louisiana civil code did not allow tolling, but the 2024 update allows parties to agree to tolling in some cases. Ask your attorney if your case qualifies for a tolling agreement. Louisiana’s statutes do not run against minors or cases involving permanent disability in product liability claims (CC 3493.1<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Louisiana Civil Statutes of Limitation<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Nearly all civil claims have a two-year statute of limitations. This includes personal injury<\/a> cases and damages resulting from criminal actions. There are longer limitations periods for real estate claims and court judgments.<\/p>\r\n

Two years<\/b> (L.A. Civ. Code 3493.1 et seq<\/a>.)<\/p>\r\n