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How long do I have to file a breach of contract claim in Louisiana?

10 years

Louisiana breach of contract: 10 years from the breach.

Governing statute: La. Civ. Code art. 3499. Verified against the published code: 2026-06-22.

Louisiana Breach of Contract Deadline Calculator

Clock generally starts on the date of the breach.

The bottom line

In Louisiana, you generally have 10 years to file a breach of contract lawsuit, counted from the date of the breach (La. Civ. Code art. 3499). Written and oral contracts frequently carry DIFFERENT limitation periods. Sale-of-goods contracts are usually governed by UCC §2-725 (4 years) instead of the general contract statute.

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Frequently asked

How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Louisiana?
10 years, generally from the date of the breach (La. Civ. Code art. 3499).
When does the breach of contract clock start in Louisiana?
the date of the breach. Written and oral contracts frequently carry DIFFERENT limitation periods. Sale-of-goods contracts are usually governed by UCC §2-725 (4 years) instead of the general contract statute.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Filing after the statute of limitations almost always means the court will dismiss your case and you lose the right to recover. A few narrow exceptions (tolling, the discovery rule, minority) can extend it — an attorney can tell you whether any apply.

Louisiana deadlines by claim type

Claim typeDeadlineStatute
Personal Injury1 yearLa. Civ. Code art. 3492 (1-yr prescription)
Breach of Contract10 yearsLa. Civ. Code art. 3499
Medical Malpractice1 yearLa. Rev. Stat. § 9:5628
Defamation (Libel / Slander)1 yearLa. Civ. Code art. 3492
Property Damage1 yearLa. Civ. Code art. 3492
Not legal advice. This page is informational only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. Statutes of limitations are subject to many exceptions — tolling, the discovery rule, minority (under-18) and incapacity rules, government notice-of-claim deadlines (often far shorter), and statutes of repose — any of which can shorten or lengthen the deadline in your specific case. The governing statute citation and the date it was verified are shown above so you can confirm the current text yourself. Never rely on this page to decide whether you can or cannot sue. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before your deadline.