Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Missouri

Five years. Actions for "any other injury to the person or rights of another, not arising on contract" and not otherwise listed must be filed within five years.

Five years for taking, detaining or injuring goods or personal property.

Two years from the date of the negligent act. Exceptions: for a foreign object left in the body or a negligent failure to report medical test results, two years from when the problem was or should have been discovered; a minor has until age 20. In no event may a malpractice action be filed more than ten years after the act, or two years after a minor's 18th birthday, whichever is later.

Three years after the cause of action accrues. Time when a defendant is absent from the state does not count, and a plaintiff whose timely case ends in a nonsuit may refile within one year.

Missouri keeps sovereign immunity except as waived. Immunity is waived for injuries from public employees' negligent operation of motor vehicles and from dangerous conditions of public property, and to the extent of insurance or self-insurance purchased. Liability is limited to base amounts of $300,000 per person and $2,000,000 per occurrence, adjusted annually for inflation (current values published in the Missouri Register), with no punitive damages. For injuries from a defective street, sidewalk or bridge in a third- or fourth-class city, written notice must be given to the mayor within 90 days.