New Law on Medical Expenses in Injury Cases: Senate Bill 231 Explained

At Fisher Injury Lawyers, we make it our mission to keep you informed about legal changes that impact your rights. A recent update to Louisiana personal injury law—Senate Bill 231—introduces important changes in how courts handle medical expenses in civil lawsuits.Here’s what the new law means and how it could impact your case.

What Is Senate Bill 231?

Senate Bill 231 updates how Louisiana calculates and presents medical expenses in personal injury lawsuits. Starting January 1, 2026, this law applies to all cases filed on or after that date. Under the new rules, courts will only consider the actual amount paid for medical services—not the original amount billed by the healthcare provider.The key takeaway? Injured individuals will only be able to recover the amounts actually paid, not the higher amounts that may appear on initial medical bills.

Why Is This Important?

If you get hurt in an accident, your doctor or hospital might bill thousands of dollars for treatment. But your health insurance or Medicare often pays only a portion of those charges. Under the current law, you can typically claim the full billed amount in court, even if insurance covered most of it at a discounted rate.Once the new law takes effect, your recovery will generally include:

• The actual amount paid by insurance or Medicare
• Any out-of-pocket costs like co-pays or deductibles

That means juries will likely award lower amounts for medical expenses—especially when insurance pays the bulk of your bills.

Does This Affect All Injury Cases?

Not all cases fall under Senate Bill 231. It does not apply to:

• Medical malpractice claims
• Auto insurance policies with “med pay” coverage, which pays medical bills regardless of fault

Also, the law only applies to cases filed on or after January 1, 2026.

How Could This Affect Your Case?

At Fisher Injury Lawyers, we focus on maximizing your recovery. Senate Bill 231 may change how we present your damages, but it doesn’t change our commitment to fighting for full and fair compensation.We’ll keep using every legal strategy available to build strong cases and protect your rights in court.

Questions About Your Rights After an Injury?

If you’ve been injured and want to understand how this law may affect your case—or whether it applies to your situation—Call Fisher First. We’re here to answer your questions, explain your legal options, and guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today for a free consultation.