Louisiana Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

The Louisiana wrongful death statute of limitations is one year from the date of death in most cases, and surviving family members have to file a civil claim before this time. Otherwise, they cannot hold the at-fault party accountable or secure financial support. The sooner you begin working to gather evidence and build a case, the more effective a wrongful death claim is likely to be.

The Statute of Limitations for Louisiana Wrongful Death Claims

The statute of limitations, or prescriptive period, in Louisiana for filing a wrongful death claim is typically the longer of the following:

1. One year from the day the death occurred
2. Two years from the day that an injury or damage was sustained

Wrongful death actions can be filed by close surviving family members if their loved one dies because of the fault of another party. The claim is filed by family members for the damages they have suffered as a result of their loved one’s death.

How Is a Survival Action Different From a Wrongful Death Claim?

A survival action is filed by surviving family members when their loved one dies because of an injury in an intentional or negligent offense. Instead of recovering the damages of the surviving family members, it recovers the damages of the deceased from before their death.

What Happens if You Miss the Deadline for a Wrongful Death Claim in Louisiana?

If you fail to file a wrongful death claim before the prescriptive period ends, you will be unable to recover financial compensation. A state judicial court, like the 24th Judicial District Court in New Orleans, will reject a claim filed past the expiration of the deadline, or the other party will petition the court about the missed deadline. While there are some exceptions to the deadline, they are very uncommon.

Certain wrongful death claims may begin as an insurance claim. The ability to take the case to court is your leverage against an insurance company and incentivizes it to reach a settlement rather than go to court. If you miss the statute of limitations, then you lose this leverage, and the company has no reason to reach a settlement. This is why being aware of this deadline is important, no matter how you are settling a claim.

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

There are a few exceptions to the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. If the individual who has the right to file a claim was a minor when the death occurred, the deadline could be extended until they are of age. Other unique circumstances might apply, but it’s important to discuss these options with an attorney. A skilled wrongful death attorney can assess unique situations that give you more time to file.

Causes of Wrongful Death Claims

Vehicle collisions are a major cause of unintentional and wrongful deaths, leading to 744 deaths in 2025.

Vehicle collisions are especially likely to cause death when vulnerable individuals are involved. In Louisiana in 2023, there were many unintentional deaths reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including 1,700 pedestrian deaths and 1,110 pedal cyclist deaths. Fatal crashes are also more likely when commercial trucks are involved. In 2025, 101 of the fatalities in the state were from commercial vehicle accidents.

Other causes of wrongful death claims include:

• Medical malpractice
• Motorcycle accidents
• Workplace injuries
• Maritime accidents
• Hazardous property
• Unsafe consumer products

Wrongful death claims result from many of the same situations as personal injury claims do. If you can hold another party liable for their negligence that caused the death of your loved one, you may have grounds for a claim.

What Is the Purpose of a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations applies to many types of civil claims, including wrongful death cases. It exists to:

• Ensure claims are handled promptly.
• Keep evidence for the case fresh and useful.
• Help avoid lost evidence or information.
• Stop the at-fault party from being perpetually liable.

FAQs

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Louisiana?

The statute of limitations for wrongful death in Louisiana is generally one year from the day the person died. It may also be two years from the day the injury or damage occurred, whichever date is longer. Medical malpractice actions also provide one year from the date of death. If you fail to meet the deadline, you most likely won’t be able to recover any compensation or hold the at-fault party liable.

Who Can File a Claim for Wrongful Death in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, specific family members can file a wrongful death claim. First, the surviving spouse and/or child or children of the deceased have the ability to file. Then, the parents of the deceased can file if there is no spouse or children. Then, the siblings, if none of the previous can file, and then the grandparents. This includes relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption. The ability to file a claim is also inheritable.

How Long Can a Wrongful Death Case Take?

The time a wrongful death case takes will depend on the specific case, how complex it is, the legal representation you work with, and other factors. Cases that go to trial tend to take much longer than a case settled through negotiation. A more complex case also takes longer, such as ones where parties disagree on fault or there were multiple parties in the accident. When you hire a skilled wrongful death lawyer, they can assess a possible timeline more accurately.

What Is the Success Rate of Wrongful Death Claims?

Whether or not a wrongful death claim is likely to be successful depends on factors like your supportive evidence, why your loved one died, and whether you work with an experienced attorney. A claim is more likely to succeed when you can prove that a party owed your loved one a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the injury and death as a result of that breach. An attorney helps you prove these elements.

Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer at Murphy Law Firm

With decades of experience in personal injury and wrongful death law in Louisiana, Murphy Law Firm can give you and your family the support and legal guidance you deserve. Reach out to our team today.

*All figures cited are correct as of early 2026, but are still subject to changes.

About The Author

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy, is the founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in personal injury law. Peyton obtained his law degree from the prestigious Tulane School of Law in 1991 and has been licensed to practice law in Louisiana since 1993. With over 28 years of experience, Peyton is dedicated to representing injured victims and actively contributing to his community. Education: Obtained his law degree from Tulane School of Law in 1991. Professional Associations: Member of the Louisiana State Bar and active in the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana Association for Justice. Experience: Founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, with extensive experience in personal injury law and licensed in multiple federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

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