Will I Have to File a Lawsuit?

Miles A. Matt: Whether a person or a client needs to file a lawsuit is a question frequently asked by clients. That is determined by many things, and there is no easy quick answer at the beginning of a case. Some cases require suits. Some cases don’t. One of the things that it depends upon largely is the severity of the injuries and the extent of the medical treatment.

Most cases in Louisiana require that a suit be filed within one year of the accident. There are exceptions to that. For example, in Jones Act and general maritime claims you have a longer period of time.

There is one thing for certain. Depending on the kind of claim you have and the statute of limitations that applies, if you do not file suit within that time, you will forever lose your right to file a lawsuit. Once that’s lost, you can’t recover it.

Here at the law offices of Matt and Allen we will give you advice as to, number one, whether a suit must be filed and, number two, when it should be filed.