§ 9:4856 — Contractors; misapplication of payments prohibited; civil penalties; payment of

Louisiana § 9:4856

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 9: Civil Code-Ancillaries

Text

§4856. Contractors; misapplication of payments prohibited; civil penalties; payment of
claims, attorney fees and costs
A. No contractor, subcontractor, or agent of a contractor or subcontractor, who has
received money on account of a contract for the construction, erection, or repair of a
building, structure, or other improvement, including contracts and mortgages for interim
financing, shall knowingly fail to apply the money received as necessary to settle claims to
sellers of movables or laborers due for the construction or under the contract. Any seller of
movables or laborer whose claims have not been settled may file an action for the amount
due, including reasonable attorney fees and court costs, and for civil penalties as provided
in this Section.
B. When the amount misapplied is one thousand dollars or less, the civil penalties
shall be not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars.
C. When the amount misapplied is greater than one thousand dollars, the civil
penalties shall be not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, for
each one thousand dollars in misapplied funds.
D. A contractor, subcontractor, or agent of a contractor or subcontractor who is
found by the court to have knowingly failed to apply construction contract payments as
required in Subsection A shall be ordered by the court to pay to plaintiff the penalties
provided in Subsection B or C, as may be applicable, and the amount due to settle the claim,
including reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
NOTE: Former R.S. 9:4814 redesignated as R.S. 9:4856 by Acts 2019, No.
325.
NOTE: See Acts 2019, No. 325, §§6, 7, and 10, regarding applicability.

Legislative History

Acts 1997, No. 861, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 9:4814 by Acts 2019, No. 325, §4.