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Maybe you thought the injuries would heal on their own. Maybe the insurance company said they would handle it. Or maybe you are just trying to get back to normal life and have not had time to think about legal deadlines.
In Louisiana, waiting too long can cost you your right to recover compensation. The timeline here is shorter than in most states, and many people are surprised by how quickly the clock runs out.
Below is what you need to know, in clear terms, so you do not miss your chance to take action.
Louisiana’s Personal Injury Filing Deadline
Every state sets a deadline for filing personal injury claims. In Louisiana, this deadline is called a prescriptive period, and it is one of the shortest in the country.
In most cases, you have one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. That one year applies to many common injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, and other negligence claims.
Once that year passes, the court can dismiss your case outright. Even if your injuries are serious. Even if the other party was clearly at fault.
Are There Any Exceptions?
There are limited situations where the one-year period may be paused or adjusted. For example, cases involving minors can follow different rules, and some injuries are not immediately discovered. Medical malpractice cases can also involve additional notice requirements and specific procedures.
These exceptions are narrow and highly fact-specific. If you assume an exception applies without confirming it, you could lose your claim. That is why it is a good idea to get clear guidance as early as possible.
Why Waiting Can Hurt Your Case
The deadline is only one reason not to wait. Time affects the strength of your case in other ways too.
Evidence does not stay fresh forever. Accident scenes change. Surveillance footage gets erased. Vehicles are repaired. Witnesses forget details or become harder to locate. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to prove exactly what happened and how your injuries have affected your life.
Insurance companies also pay attention to timing. Delays can be used to question how serious your injuries really are or whether something else caused them. Acting sooner helps protect both your rights and your credibility.
What to Do After an Injury in New Orleans
If you are even thinking about filing a claim, there are a few practical steps that can make a real difference.
- Get medical care right away, even if you think the injury is minor. This protects your health and creates a record that links your injuries to the accident.
- Document what you can. Photos, videos, witness names, and basic notes about what happened can all be helpful later.
- Be careful with insurance companies. What you say early on can be used against you later, even if it seems harmless at the time.
- Talk with a lawyer who handles personal injury cases in New Orleans. A short conversation can help you understand where you stand and what deadlines apply to your situation.
Why Local Experience Matters
Filing a claim in New Orleans is not the same as filing one somewhere else. Local courts, local procedures, and even local road and weather conditions can play a role in how cases are evaluated.
A personal injury lawyer who regularly works in Orleans Parish understands how these cases move through the system and what details tend to matter most. That local knowledge can shape everything from investigation strategy to settlement discussions.
Talk With Irpino Avin & Hawkins About Your New Orleans Personal Injury Claim
When time is limited, clear guidance matters. At Irpino Avin & Hawkins, we help injured people understand their options, their deadlines, and the steps that make sense for their situation.
If you were hurt in New Orleans and are unsure how much time you have left to act, now is the moment to ask. Reach out to Irpino Avin & Hawkins to speak with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer who can walk you through what comes next and help you protect your right to compensation.
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