How to File a Personal Injury Claim in Louisiana? Step by Step Guide

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Last Modified on Nov 11, 2025

If you’re injured due to the misconduct or negligence of another party, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and recover damages for your losses. Even though it’s highly recommended that you hire a personal injury lawyer to help with your case, it’s still beneficial to know how to file a personal injury claim in Louisiana for yourself.

Filing a personal injury claim can be daunting. By equipping yourself with knowledge about the process, you can move through each step with confidence and ease. Knowing how to file a personal injury claim in Louisiana goes beyond understanding what steps to take to get through the process.

The actual filing is fairly straightforward, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to secure the compensation you deserve. You also have to know how to build a strong case backed by evidence to ensure you secure a fair settlement.

Louisiana Personal Injury Laws

Louisiana is home to over 4,600,000 people. Around 22,000 of these residents are admitted to a hospital for an injury every year, with unintentional falls and motor vehicle accidents listed as two of the three most common causes. Slips and falls and traffic accidents are also two common reasons behind personal injury cases in the state.

If you wish to file a personal injury claim after sustaining injuries at the hands of another party in Louisiana, you typically must do so within two years of the incident in order to be eligible to recover damages.

A Louisiana personal injury attorney can work with you to build a strong case and gather enough evidence to support your claim. They can also launch their own investigation to help you secure the settlement you deserve.

How to File a Personal Injury Claim in Louisiana

Filing a personal injury claim is a fairly straightforward process in Louisiana, but it’s still wise to consult a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer can help you file all the necessary documents in the appropriate Louisiana state court. They can also inform the party you’re filing against that you’re planning to pursue legal action to recover damages. In some cases, you can settle matters before getting the court involved.

If you go forward with filing a claim, you generally have to prove negligence or misconduct by another party. It’s imperative that you record as much of the incident as possible and continue collecting important documents that prove you were injured and show the extent of your injuries.

It’s also imperative to seek medical attention right after the incident. Getting cleared by a medical professional not only ensures your health and safety but also allows you to gather professional opinions and official medical records to back your claim.

When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you can count on them to help you collect important evidence, including:

  • Eyewitness testimonies
  • Medical records
  • Police reports
  • Photos and videos
  • Security footage

Once you’ve compiled all the necessary information, your attorney can work with the negligent party to negotiate a fair settlement to compensate for your injuries. If you’re unable to reach an agreement through negotiations, you can open an official case with the court. At this point, a judge or jury makes a final decision about your settlement. If you hired a personal injury lawyer, you can count on them to represent your interests throughout this process, too.

FAQs

What Types of Cases Does Personal Injury Law Cover in Louisiana?

Personal injury law covers a wide range of incidents where one party’s misconduct or negligence injures another party. Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, has experience representing clients through all types of complex personal injury claims, including animal attacks, bicycle accidents, elevator accidents, motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability cases, slip-and-fall accidents, and trampoline accidents.

We can also navigate wrongful death claims in situations where the victim succumbs to their injuries to help families recover damages for their losses.

How Can a Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney Help With My Case in Louisiana?

It’s beneficial to seek legal counsel and representation from a Louisiana personal injury attorney for many reasons if you’re planning to file a claim. For starters, an experienced attorney can help you file your claim and all necessary documents to ensure you don’t face any delays or issues along the way.

They can investigate the incident themselves and gather important evidence and additional information to strengthen your claim, negotiate terms, and represent you in court if all else fails.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Louisiana?

In order to determine how much it costs to hire a personal injury lawyer, you must first understand the severity of the incident and the scope of your injuries. Personal injury attorneys are likely to charge more for complex personal injury cases that result in a large settlement.

You can typically expect to hire a personal injury lawyer on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay up front and only pay if you successfully secure a settlement.

What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement in Louisiana?

Your personal injury settlement in Louisiana is going to depend on the severity of your injuries and the strength of your claim. You must prove not only that the other party is at fault, but that you are not partially to blame in order to recover the maximum amount of compensation. Otherwise, the total is reduced by your percentage of fault. A personal injury attorney can help you build a strong case to secure the compensation you deserve.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer and Start the Louisiana Claims Process on the Right Foot

Navigating a personal injury case can be overwhelming, especially if you’re suffering from serious injuries. That’s why it’s recommended to hire a personal injury lawyer to guide you through the process.

Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, has been practicing law since 1994. With over three decades of experience serving Lafayette and the surrounding areas, we’re confident we can help you secure the settlement you deserve. When you choose us as your legal team, you’re choosing a skilled attorney who has:

  • A 95% success rate
  • Recovered $60+ million for clients
  • Taken 4,000+ client consultations

If you’re ready to discuss your claim in more detail, you can count on Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, to be there for you. Contact the office to schedule an appointment to learn more today.