Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 37 - INSURANCE Part
Part I - Insurance and Related Matter
Subpart 1 - Insurance and Related Matters
Chapter 7 - Reporting of Claims
Section I-705 - Reporting of Comprehensive General Liability Claims

A. All claims must be reported as soon as possible, but no later than the prescription period outlined in Book III, Title 24, Chapter 4 of the Louisiana Civil Code. In most cases, prescription periods are one year. ORM will pay only for covered losses reported before one year from the date of the accident or discovery date. Policy language clearly states: "...you must see to it that we are notified as soon as practicable of an "occurrence" or an offense which may result in a claim." Failure to report potential claims as soon as possible severely limits the ability of ORM to investigate the facts and may compromise the state's legal rights to subrogation from a responsible third party.

B. The state of Louisiana provides comprehensive general liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from operations for which the agency could be held legally liable.

C. All general liability claims are to be submitted, in writing, to the Office of Risk Management on a General Liability Claim Reporting Form or in a narrative format. The General Liability Claim Reporting Form can be found on the Office of Risk Management's web site, www.doa.louisiana.gov/orm. [File Link Not Available]

D. Claims are to be submitted, in writing, to the Office of Risk Management, P.O. Box 91106, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9106.

E. If a loss is serious in nature, it is to be reported by telephone to the Office of Risk Management for review to determine if coverage is applicable.

F. Claims which are made against a state agency by a third party are to be submitted to the Office of Risk Management for review to determine if coverage is applicable.

G. All lawsuits, demands, notices, summons, or other legal documents pertaining to a claim against a state agency are to be forwarded immediately to the Office of Risk Management's Claim Office for further handling.

H. Any objects and/or products which may have caused, contributed to, or which are suspected of causing an accident are to be removed from service, retained and preserved as evidence.

I. If a loss occurs or a claim arises the agency is not to assume any obligation or incur any expenses without authority from the Office of Risk Management.