Claim process
A practical Louisiana injury-claim timeline.
No two matters move at the same pace. Injury severity, treatment, disputed fault, coverage, evidence, and insurer cooperation all affect timing.
Days 1–30: care, reporting, and preservation
The priorities are medical safety, reporting, documentation, witness information, insurance notice, and preservation of evidence. A claimant should avoid guessing in recorded statements and should not delay care merely to see whether symptoms disappear.
The treatment and investigation period
As care progresses, the parties collect records, bills, wage information, reports, photographs, video, coverage documents, and liability evidence. Serious or commercial cases may require experts or formal preservation before the claim is valued.
Demand and negotiation
A demand typically summarizes fault, injuries, treatment, expenses, wage loss, future issues, and other damages with supporting material. Negotiation quality depends on whether the medical picture is sufficiently developed and the insurer meaningfully evaluates the evidence.
When a lawsuit is filed
Suit may be needed to preserve a deadline, obtain evidence, identify coverage, or address an unreasonable position. Filing begins formal pleadings and service; it does not mean every case will reach trial.
Discovery, experts, mediation, and resolution
Litigation can include written discovery, document production, depositions, medical examinations, experts, motions, mediation, and trial preparation. Settlement can occur at many stages, but any final decision should account for liens, costs, fees, and future needs.