Louisiana Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Louisiana's medical malpractice insurance market is shaped by its early adoption of comprehensive reforms under the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act (LMMA) of 1975. Despite these reforms, including a Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) and a cap on damages, malpractice insurance rates remain higher than in neighboring states, reflecting the state's challenging tort climate.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Louisiana
Louisiana does not require physicians to carry malpractice insurance. However, participation in the Louisiana Patient Compensation Fund requires physicians to maintain a primary insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $100,000 per claim. The first amount is how much your insurance provider will pay per claim, and the second amount indicates your annual limit.
Occurrence vs Claims-Made Malpractice Policies in Louisiana
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Louisiana, though occurrence policies are available.
Coverage applies to incidents that occur during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is filed.
Coverage applies to claims filed during the policy period, requiring tail coverage for future claims.
Leading Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies in Louisiana
In addition to the below insurers, DocShield typically provides your practice with quotes from several other highly rated insurers. Ratings provided by AM Best (the leading insurance credit rating agency).
Lammico
MedPro
ProAssurance
Liberty
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Louisiana
The data below represent undiscounted premiums. DocShield is often able to save practices 30-50% relative to these rates.
| Medical Specialty | Average Premium | Lowest Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $10,100 | $6,874 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $10,600 | $6,023 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $4,600 | $3,108 |
| Emergency Medicine | $17,200 | $11,920 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $7,200 | $5,004 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $6,900 | $3,108 |
| General Surgery | $26,200 | $17,193 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $8,000 | $5,452 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $32,000 | $22,030 |
| Occupational Medicine | $4,400 | $3,108 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $4,700 | $3,108 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $23,200 | $16,183 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $6,300 | $4,313 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $6,800 | $4,313 |
| Psychiatry | $6,000 | $4,313 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $8,500 | $4,313 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $8,100 | $4,313 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Louisiana
A licensed broker can help you navigate the administrative work involved in getting quotes and the nuances of choosing a policy that fits your particular practice. Importantly, brokers work for you, not a single insurer, so they can shop across multiple insurers to find you the most competitive premium for a high-quality policy.
Buy Affordable Malpractice Insurance with Docshield
We've built the fastest application process in the industry so you don't have to disrupt your schedule to shop for coverage. After you select a policy, we automatically scan the market every year before renewal to ensure you're paying a fair price.
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Louisiana Statute of Limitations
Patients must request the formation of a Medical Review Panel within one year of the discovery of an alleged negligent act, and no claims may be filed more than three years from the date of the incident. Wrongful death claims must be brought within one year from the date of death.
Tort Reform in Louisiana
Louisiana's 1975 LMMA introduced several reforms, including: i) a $500,000 cap on total damages (excluding future medical expenses), ii) establishment of a Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) covering claims exceeding $100,000, iii) mandatory Medical Review Panels to evaluate malpractice claims before they proceed to court, and iv) reforms to joint-and-several liability, making defendants responsible only for their share of damages. The LMMA's provisions have faced legal challenges, but the $500,000 cap and PCF remain in place, ensuring a structured liability framework.