Every civil lawsuit deadline in Louisiana for 2026 — personal injury, medical malpractice, debt, contracts, and more.
| Case Type | Time Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🤕 Personal Injury | 1 year — URGENT | ⚠️ Only 1 year (called 'prescriptive period'). Act immediately. |
| 🏥 Medical Malpractice | 1 year — URGENT | 1 year from discovery. Max 3 years from act. |
| 📄 Written Contract | 10 years | 10 years under Louisiana's civil law system. |
| 🗣️ Oral Contract | 3 years | Breach of a verbal agreement — handshake deals and spoken promises. |
| 💳 Debt Collection | 3 years | How long creditors can sue you for unpaid debts. |
| 🏠 Property Damage | 1 year — URGENT | 1 year. |
| ⚖️ Wrongful Death | 1 year — URGENT | 1 year from death date. |
| 📰 Defamation (Libel & Slander) | 1 year — URGENT | False statements that damage your reputation — written or verbal. |
| 🎭 Fraud & Misrepresentation | 1 year — URGENT | Intentional deception causing financial harm. |
| 👷 Workers' Compensation | 1 year — URGENT | Deadline to file a workers' comp claim after workplace injury. |
| 🛡️ Sexual Assault (Civil) | 10 years | Civil lawsuit deadline for sexual assault and childhood abuse. |
| 💼 Employment Claims | 1 year — URGENT | Wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages. |
⚠️ Always verify with a licensed Louisiana attorney before filing. Laws change and exceptions may apply to your specific situation.