New Louisiana Tort-Reform Laws: What They Mean for Your Injury Claim in Shreveport–Bossier

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, a negligent injury or accident, a new batch of Louisiana laws could seriously affect how much compensation you can recover - or whether you recover anything at all. Here’s what you need to know about the 2025 tort-reform package and why hiring the right attorney matters more than ever.

Tort reform might sound fair in theory - but in practice, it often tips the scales in favor of insurance companies over everyday injury victims.

“Tort reform” sounds like legal mumbo jumbo—but if you're injured, it could hit your wallet hard.

What Is Tort Reform, Anyway?

Let’s start with the basics: A “tort” is a legal word for a wrong that causes harm, like a car accident or a dog bite. Tort reform refers to changes in the law that make it harder (or sometimes easier) for people to sue or collect damages after being hurt.

Think of it like a game of football - tort reform changes the rules, not the players. And when the rules change, you need a coach who knows the new playbook.

What Just Happened in Louisiana?

A major set of tort-reform bills - House Bills 431, 432, 433, 434, 450, and 291—just passed through the House Civil Law Committee[1]. These changes haven’t all been signed into law yet, but they are moving fast through the legislative pipeline.

Here are some of the most important shifts personal injury clients should know:

1. Modified Comparative Fault: 50% Bar Rule

Under the new rules, if you’re found 50% or more at fault for your accident, you get nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada.

Old Rule (Pure Comparative Fault): Even if you were 99% at fault, you could still recover 1% of your damages.

New Rule (Modified Comparative Fault): Now, if you’re 50% or more at fault, you can’t recover anything.

Real-Life Example:Let’s say you’re in a crash where the other driver was speeding, but you rolled through a stop sign. The court finds you 50% responsible. That used to mean you’d still recover some compensation. Now? You walk away with nothing.

“50/50 now means 0.”

2. Caps on Damages

The bills may introduce or tighten limits on how much you can recover for pain and suffering, especially in cases against the government or medical providers[2].

These “damage caps” are controversial because they apply even if your injuries are life-altering. If a jury awards you $500,000, but the cap is $250,000 - you only get $250,000. The rest? Gone.

3. Stricter Deadlines

Some bills shorten how long you have to file a claim - from one year to six months in certain cases[3]. Miss the window, and you may lose your right to sue - even if you have a rock-solid case.

Why Was This Passed?

Supporters of the reform say it's needed to reduce insurance premiums and protect businesses from excessive lawsuits[4]. But here's the flip side:

“These changes shift the burden from insurance companies to everyday people like you.”

Let’s be real: Tort reform tends to favor insurance companies, not injury victims. You’ll see less transparency, tougher thresholds, and more ways for insurers to avoid paying full value on your claim.

What Can You Do About It?

Know your rights. Know your deadlines. And hire the right legal team.

At JC Law, we’ve been tracking this legislation since day one - and we’re already adjusting our strategies to help protect our clients under the new rules.

If you’ve been in an accident in Shreveport, Bossier, or the surrounding parishes - your case could look very different under these new laws. What might have been a $100,000 claim last year could be $0 now if fault isn’t argued correctly.

Understanding It All: A Simple Analogy

Imagine you’re baking a pie with a friend. You each mess up part of the recipe. Under the old rules, you’d still get a slice of the pie- even if you were more to blame.

Under these new rules? If you're 50% or more responsible for ruining the pie, you don’t get a bite. Even if your friend gets to eat the rest.

That’s how modified comparative fault works. The dividing line is now a cliff.

What to Do Next

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, a fall, or another preventable incident, don’t assume the old rules still apply. Let’s sit down, go over your case, and map out a winning strategy.

Call us today at 318-221-4500Or visit: johnsoncarrolllaw.com

Final Takeaway:

Louisiana just moved the goalposts for personal injury cases. At JC Law, we’re already playing on the new field - and we know how to win.

Sources

[1] Louisiana State Legislature. House Bills 431–434, 450, and 291. Civil Law Committee, 2025 Session.[2] Louisiana Record. "House Committee Advances Tort-Reform Proposals Including Caps on Damages." June 2025.[3] HB 291 Legislative Digest. Louisiana State Legislature, 2025.[4] KTBS News. "Supporters Say Tort Reform Will Lower Insurance Rates, But Critics Warn of Harm to Victims." May 2025.