Louisiana Revised Statutes & Codes

La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242 (2026)

Claimant defined; filing of sworn statements of amounts due; payment by contracting authority

✓ current as of May 2026
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§2242.  Claimant defined; filing of sworn statements of amounts due; payment by contracting authority

A.  "Claimant", as used in this Chapter, means any person to whom money is due pursuant to a contract with the owner or a contractor or subcontractor for doing work, performing labor, or furnishing materials or supplies for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works, or for transporting and delivering such materials or supplies to the site of the job by a for-hire carrier, or for furnishing oil, gas, electricity, or other materials or supplies for use in machines used in the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works, including persons to whom money is due for the lease or rental of movable property used at the site of the immovable and leased to the owner, contractor, or subcontractor by written contract, and including registered or certified surveyors or engineers or consulting engineers, or licensed architects, or their professional subconsultants employed by the owner or by the contractor or subcontractor in connection with the building of any public work.

B.  Any claimant may after the maturity of his claim and within forty-five days after the recordation of acceptance of the work by the governing authority or of notice of default of the contractor or subcontractor, file a sworn statement of the amount due him with the governing authority having the work done and record it in the office of the recorder of mortgages for the parish in which the work is done.

C.(1)  To be entitled to assert the claim given by Subsection B of this Section the lessor of the movables shall deliver a copy of the lease to the owner not more than ten days after the movables are first placed at the site of the immovable for use in the work.

(2)  The claim or privilege granted the lessor of the movables by Subsection B of this Section is limited to and secures only the part of the rentals accruing during the time the movable is located at the site of the immovable for use in a work.  A movable shall be deemed not located at the site of the immovable for use in a work after:

(a)  The work is substantially completed or abandoned; or

(b)  The notice of termination of the work is filed; or

(c)  The lessee has abandoned the movable, or use of the movable in a work is completed or no longer necessary, and the owner or contractor gives written notice to the lessor of abandonment or completion of use.

D.  When an awarding authority makes final payment to the contractor without deducting the total amount of all outstanding claims so served on it or without obtaining a bond from the contractor to cover the total amount of all outstanding claims, the awarding authority shall become liable for the amount of these claims.

E.  If an architect or engineer has not been employed by the contractor or subcontractor, he shall have no claim to or privilege on the funds due the contractor or subcontractor, nor shall such architect or engineer be within the coverage of the payment and performance bond required of the contractor by R.S. 38:2241.

F.  In addition to the other provisions of this Section, if the materialman has not been paid by the subcontractor and has not sent notice of nonpayment to the general contractor and the owner, then the materialman shall lose his right to file a privilege or lien on the immovable property.  The return receipt indicating that certified mail was properly addressed to the last known address of the general contractor and the owner and deposited in the U.S. mail on or before seventy-five days from the last day of the month in which the material was delivered, regardless of whether the certified mail was actually delivered, refused, or unclaimed satisfies the notice provision hereof or no later than the statutory lien period, whichever comes first.  The provisions of this Subsection shall apply only to disputes arising out of recorded contracts.

Amended by Acts 1960, No. 59, §1; Acts 1966, No. 537, §1; Acts 1977, No. 253, §1; Acts 1979, No. 406, §2; Acts 1984, No. 703, §1; Acts 1985, No. 244, §1; Acts 1986, No. 158, §1; Acts 1986, No. 195, §1, eff. June 28, 1986; Acts 1989, No. 305, §§1, 2; Acts 1990, No. 913, §1; Acts 1990, No. 984, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1134, §2; Acts 2004, No. 440, §1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 102 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1955–2024 · leading case: Pierce Foundations, Inc. v. Jaroy Constr., Inc., 190 So. 3d 298 (La. 2016).
Pierce Foundations, Inc. v. Jaroy Constr., Inc., 190 So. 3d 298 (La. 2016). · cites it 90× “Pierce opposed the motion, asserting that the statute does not affect the right to proceed in contract, and the Act never contemplated a situation in which notice would be given and suit filed before the events outlined in R.S. 38:2242. Pierce contended that the Act does not…”
Woodrow Wilson Constr., LLC v. Amtek of La., Inc., 256 So. 3d 305 (La. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 85× “00, the contractor is required to post a bond "in a sum of not less than fifty percent of the contract price for the payment by the contractor or subcontractor to claimants as defined in R.S. 38:2242." La. R.S. 38:2241(A)(2) ; Pierce Foundations, Inc.”
Gootee Constr., Inc. v. Atkins, 178 So. 3d 629 (La. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 15× “R.S. 38:2242 B. 8 *634 The Act requires a public entity which “enters' into a written contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works .”
J. Reed Constructors, Inc. v. Roofing Supply Grp., L.L.C., 135 So. 3d 752 (La. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 16× “R.S. 38:2242 requires that only one notice-of-nonpayment as to all deliveries is required to be issued within 75 days of the last day of the month of the last delivery or whether multiple notices-of-nonpayment must be sent within 75 days of each month *757 in which material is…”
Patriot Constr. & Equip., LLC v. Rage Logistics, LLC, 215 So. 3d 844 (La. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 6× “R.S. 38:2242.” La.R.S. 38:3341(A)(2). Louisiana Revised Statutes 38:2242(A) defines a “claimant” as including “any person to whom money is due pursuant to a contract with the owner or a contractor or subcontractor for doing work, performing labor, or furnishing materials or…”
Pierce Foundations, Inc. v. Jaroy Constr., Inc., 169 So. 3d 580 (La. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 18× “the public entity shall require of the contractor a bond with good, solvent, and sufficient surety in a sum of not less than fifty percent of the contract price for the payment by the contractor or subcontractor to claimants as defined in R.S. 38:2242. The bond furnished shall…”
K CONST., INC. v. Burko Const., Inc., 629 So. 2d 1370 (La. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 13× “R.S. 38:2242 B provides: *1372 B. Any claimant may after the maturity of his claim and within forty-five days after the recordation of acceptance of the work by the governing authority or of notice of default of the contractor or subcontractor, file a sworn statement of the…”
Apex Bldg. Tech. Grp., Inc. v. Catco Gen. Contractors, L.L.C., 189 So. 3d 1209 (La. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 11× “R.S. 38:2242(A). ."Although the rights granted to laborers and suppliers under public contract law are sometimes referred to as ‘liens,’ these claimants are not really entitled to a lien on the public works themselves.”
Wilkin v. Dev Con Builders, Inc., 561 So. 2d 66 (La. 1990). · cites it 6× “R.S. 38:2242 (1979). The effect of these provisions is to give certain certain classes of persons not enjoying privity of contract with the general contractor or with the governing authority a claim nevertheless against the general contractor and his surety and in some instances…”
Honeywell, Inc. v. Jimmie B. Guinn, Inc., 462 So. 2d 145 (La. 1985). · cites it 5× “from the registry of acceptance of the work or of notice of default of the contractor; except that before any person having a direct contractual relationship with a subcontractor but no contractual relationship with the contractor shall have a right of action against the…”
Bd. of Sup. v. Louisiana Agr. Fin. Auth., 984 So. 2d 72 (La. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “R.S. 38:2242, LSU had a remedy against Ragusa pursuant to the Public Works Act.”
INTERSTATE SCH. SUP. CO. v. Guitreau's Const. & Consulting Co., 542 So. 2d 138 (La. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 5× “R.S. 38:2242, requiring recordation of the statement of account and filing of the same with the governing authority (LSU) within 45 days of formal acceptance.”
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(13): 1 case
Pierce Foundations, Inc. v. Jaroy Constr., Inc., 169 So. 3d 580 (La. Ct. App. 2015). “the public entity shall require of the contractor a bond with good, solvent, and sufficient surety in a sum of not less than fifty percent of the contract price for the payment by the contractor or subcontractor to claimants as defined in R.S. 38:2242. The bond furnished shall…”
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(7): 1 case
J. Reed Constructors, Inc. v. Roofing Supply Grp., L.L.C., 135 So. 3d 752 (La. Ct. App. 2013). “R.S. 38:2242 requires that only one notice-of-nonpayment as to all deliveries is required to be issued within 75 days of the last day of the month of the last delivery or whether multiple notices-of-nonpayment must be sent within 75 days of each month *757 in which material is…”
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(A): 12 cases
Pierce Foundations, Inc. v. Jaroy Constr., Inc., 190 So. 3d 298 (La. 2016). “Pierce opposed the motion, asserting that the statute does not affect the right to proceed in contract, and the Act never contemplated a situation in which notice would be given and suit filed before the events outlined in R.S. 38:2242. Pierce contended that the Act does not…”
Wilkin v. Dev Con Builders, Inc., 561 So. 2d 66 (La. 1990). “R.S. 38:2242 (1979). The effect of these provisions is to give certain certain classes of persons not enjoying privity of contract with the general contractor or with the governing authority a claim nevertheless against the general contractor and his surety and in some instances…”
Bd. of Sup. v. Louisiana Agr. Fin. Auth., 984 So. 2d 72 (La. Ct. App. 2008). “R.S. 38:2242, LSU had a remedy against Ragusa pursuant to the Public Works Act.”
VVP Am., Inc. v. Design Build Dev. Servs., Inc., 951 So. 2d 461 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
Apex Bldg. Tech. Grp., Inc. v. Catco Gen. Contractors, L.L.C., 189 So. 3d 1209 (La. Ct. App. 2016). “R.S. 38:2242(A). ."Although the rights granted to laborers and suppliers under public contract law are sometimes referred to as ‘liens,’ these claimants are not really entitled to a lien on the public works themselves.”
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(A)(1): 2 cases
US Pollution Control, Inc. v. NAT. Am. INS., 663 So. 2d 119 (La. Ct. App. 1995).
Jean Simpson Pers. v. G & G Concrete, 803 So. 2d 992 (La. Ct. App. 2001).
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(A)(2): 1 case
Siemens Bldg. Tech. v. Jefferson Par., 298 F. Supp. 2d 415 (E.D. La. 2004).
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(B): 34 cases
Pierce Foundations, Inc. v. Jaroy Constr., Inc., 190 So. 3d 298 (La. 2016). “Pierce opposed the motion, asserting that the statute does not affect the right to proceed in contract, and the Act never contemplated a situation in which notice would be given and suit filed before the events outlined in R.S. 38:2242. Pierce contended that the Act does not…”
Woodrow Wilson Constr., LLC v. Amtek of La., Inc., 256 So. 3d 305 (La. Ct. App. 2018). “00, the contractor is required to post a bond "in a sum of not less than fifty percent of the contract price for the payment by the contractor or subcontractor to claimants as defined in R.S. 38:2242." La. R.S. 38:2241(A)(2) ; Pierce Foundations, Inc.”
Pierce Foundations, Inc. v. Jaroy Constr., Inc., 169 So. 3d 580 (La. Ct. App. 2015). “the public entity shall require of the contractor a bond with good, solvent, and sufficient surety in a sum of not less than fifty percent of the contract price for the payment by the contractor or subcontractor to claimants as defined in R.S. 38:2242. The bond furnished shall…”
Gootee Constr., Inc. v. Atkins, 178 So. 3d 629 (La. Ct. App. 2015). “R.S. 38:2242 B. 8 *634 The Act requires a public entity which “enters' into a written contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public works .”
Patriot Constr. & Equip., LLC v. Rage Logistics, LLC, 215 So. 3d 844 (La. Ct. App. 2016). “R.S. 38:2242.” La.R.S. 38:3341(A)(2). Louisiana Revised Statutes 38:2242(A) defines a “claimant” as including “any person to whom money is due pursuant to a contract with the owner or a contractor or subcontractor for doing work, performing labor, or furnishing materials or…”
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(C)(1): 1 case
Broussard Bros., Inc. v. Louisiana Ins. Guar. Ass'n, 524 So. 2d 842 (La. Ct. App. 1988).
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(D): 5 cases
Apex Bldg. Tech. Grp., Inc. v. Catco Gen. Contractors, L.L.C., 189 So. 3d 1209 (La. Ct. App. 2016). “R.S. 38:2242(A). ."Although the rights granted to laborers and suppliers under public contract law are sometimes referred to as ‘liens,’ these claimants are not really entitled to a lien on the public works themselves.”
Patriot Constr. & Equip., LLC v. Rage Logistics, LLC, 215 So. 3d 844 (La. Ct. App. 2016). “R.S. 38:2242.” La.R.S. 38:3341(A)(2). Louisiana Revised Statutes 38:2242(A) defines a “claimant” as including “any person to whom money is due pursuant to a contract with the owner or a contractor or subcontractor for doing work, performing labor, or furnishing materials or…”
Wilkin v. Dev Con Builders, Inc., 561 So. 2d 66 (La. 1990). “R.S. 38:2242 (1979). The effect of these provisions is to give certain certain classes of persons not enjoying privity of contract with the general contractor or with the governing authority a claim nevertheless against the general contractor and his surety and in some instances…”
LeBlanc & Theriot Equip. Co. v. H & S Constr. Co., 591 So. 2d 1274 (La. Ct. App. 1991).
La. Rev. Stat. § 38:2242(F): 5 cases
J. Reed Constructors, Inc. v. Roofing Supply Grp., L.L.C., 135 So. 3d 752 (La. Ct. App. 2013). “R.S. 38:2242 requires that only one notice-of-nonpayment as to all deliveries is required to be issued within 75 days of the last day of the month of the last delivery or whether multiple notices-of-nonpayment must be sent within 75 days of each month *757 in which material is…”
Woodrow Wilson Constr., LLC v. Amtek of La., Inc., 256 So. 3d 305 (La. Ct. App. 2018). “00, the contractor is required to post a bond "in a sum of not less than fifty percent of the contract price for the payment by the contractor or subcontractor to claimants as defined in R.S. 38:2242." La. R.S. 38:2241(A)(2) ; Pierce Foundations, Inc.”
Patriot Constr. & Equip., LLC v. Rage Logistics, LLC, 215 So. 3d 844 (La. Ct. App. 2016). “R.S. 38:2242.” La.R.S. 38:3341(A)(2). Louisiana Revised Statutes 38:2242(A) defines a “claimant” as including “any person to whom money is due pursuant to a contract with the owner or a contractor or subcontractor for doing work, performing labor, or furnishing materials or…”
Teche Elec. Supply, L.L.C. v. M.D. Descant, Inc., 2 So. 3d 516 (La. Ct. App. 2008).
Elec. Supply Co. v. Great Amer. Ins. Co., 973 So. 2d 827 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
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