§ 9:5607 — Actions against a professional engineer, surveyor, professional interior designer,

§5607. Actions against a professional engineer, surveyor, professional interior designer,
architect, real estate developer; peremptive periods
A. No action for damages against any professional engineer, surveyor, engineer
intern, surveyor intern, or licensee as defined in R.S. 37:682, or any professional architect,
landscape architect, architect intern, or agent as defined in R.S. 37:141, or professional
interior designer, or licensee as defined in R.S. 37:3171, or other similar licensee licensed
under the laws of this state, or real estate developer relative to development plans which have
been certified by a professional engineer or professional architect, whether based upon tort,
or breach of contract, or otherwise arising out of an engagement to provide any manner of
movable or immovable planning, construction, design, or building, which may include but
is not limited to consultation, planning, designs, drawings, specifications, investigation,
evaluation, measuring, or administration related to any building, construction, demolition,
or work, shall be brought unless filed in a court of competent jurisdiction and proper venue
at the latest within five years from:
(1) The date of registry in the mortgage office of acceptance of the work by owner;
or
(2) The date the owner has occupied or taken possession of the improvement, in
whole or in part, if no such acceptance is recorded; or
(3) The date the person furnishing such services has completed the services with
regard to actions against that person, if the person performing or furnishing the services, as
described herein, does not render the services preparatory to construction, or if the person
furnishes such services preparatory to construction but the person furnishing such services
does not perform any inspection of the work.
B. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all persons whether or not infirm or
under disability of any kind and including minors and interdicts.
C. The five-year period of limitation provided for in Subsection A of this Section is
a peremptive period within the meaning of Civil Code Article 3458 and in accordance with
Civil Code Article 3461, may not be renounced, interrupted, or suspended.
D. The provisions of this Section shall take precedence over and supersede the
provisions of R.S. 9:2772 and Civil Code Articles 2762 and 3545.
E. The peremptive period provided in Subsection A of this Section shall not apply
in cases of fraud, as defined in Civil Code Article 1953.
F. The peremptive periods provided in Subsections A and B of this Section shall not
apply to any proceedings initiated by the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land
Surveying Board or the State Board of Architectural Examiners.

Legislative History

Acts 2003, No. 854, §1; Acts 2006, No. 732, §1.