Louisiana § RS 40:2811 - Disposition of property abandoned to hospitals
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 40:2811 — Disposition of property abandoned to hospitals, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 40:2811. Disposition of property abandoned to hospitals
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of 1997, R.S. 9:151 et seq., to the contrary, any property left in the possession of a hospital licensed under the provisions of this Title or owned and operated by the state or a political subdivision by any person shall be considered abandoned property for the purposes of this Section if:
(1) The owner of the property or the owner's next of kin has been notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the last known address, that the property is in possession of the hospital and must be claimed by the owner or the owner's next of kin as follows:
(a) Within thirty days if the owner was discharged from the hospital or died in such facility.
(b) Within one hundred thirty days if the owner is anyone other than a person who was discharged from the hospital or died in such facility.
(2) The owner of the property or the owner's next of kin takes no action within the time specified in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection from the date that the certified letter was sent.
(3) There is no last known address of the owner or the owner's next of kin.
B. A public sale of the abandoned property shall be held by the hospital during the month of January each year. Proceeds from the sale of abandoned property and any cash that has been abandoned by a former patient shall be transferred to the administrator of the hospital and placed in a special fund for the benefit of indigent patients. An accounting of this fund, including the various expenditures made from the account, shall be maintained by the administrator and be open to public inspection.
C. A licensed hospital may dispose of any soiled clothing which is considered abandoned property under the provisions of this Section.
D. "Owner", "person", and "property", for purposes of this Section, shall have the same meaning as defined in R.S. 9:153.
Acts 1995, No. 343, §1; Acts 2001, No. 832, §1; Acts 2023, No. 351, §3, eff. June 12, 2023.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 40:2811
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 40:2811 cover?
Section RS 40:2811 ("Disposition of property abandoned to hospitals") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 40:2811?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 40:2811" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 40:2811 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.