Louisiana’s medical malpractice cap of $500,000, enacted in 1975, has never been adjusted for
inflation. By 2024, cumulative inflation increased 474.72%, meaning the cap would be roughly
$2.87 million if it kept pace with general price levels. Health‑care costs have grown even faster
(up 1,152.63%), and physician salaries have risen 733%, eroding the cap’s real value.
According to National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) data compiled by Physicians Thrive,
Louisiana paid $625.63 million across 2,685 claims between 2014 and 2023. Six
states—including Louisiana—impose statutory caps on malpractice awards.
Victims of medical negligence often struggle to obtain full compensation under these caps.
Advocates are urging lawmakers to reconsider the cap or adopt inflation adjustments. If you or a
loved one has suffered harm due to medical negligence, consult an attorney to explore your
legal options.
Current Medical Malpractice Cases Aren't Impacted
Until any bills are passed, Louisiana’s medical malpractice award and filing time caps remain the same. To understand how a change in these caps would affect any litigation that may be currently ongoing should the measures pass, it’s best to speak directly with your attorney.
Right now, the introduction of the bills and the Committee’s delay serve to bring attention to matters that many think deserve greater investigation. But, until anything changes, plaintiffs in Louisiana medical malpractice cases are subject to laws that do include strict filing times and award limits.
If you feel you have a medical malpractice case that you would like a Personal Injury Attorney to look into, fill out the contact form on this page and someone from the office of Tony Tramontana Law will be in touch with you promptly.