Statute of Limitations in Missouri – How Long Do You Have to Sue?

Statute of Limitations in Missouri

If you have suffered an injury for which you might be entitled to compensation, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. The “statute of limitations” varies depending upon the cause of action underlying your claim.

Generally, the clock starts ticking when you are aware or should have been aware of your injury.

You might wonder why there should be a time limit at all for pursuing your case. The defendant might escape responsibility and you could fail to receive the compensation you deserve, all due to a mere technicality. However, statutes of limitations exist for several reasons:

1. Plaintiffs are encouraged to pursue their cases with reasonable diligence, promoting an efficient legal system.
2. The passage of too much time renders evidence unreliable, if not lost or destroyed.
3. It is unfair for the defendant to have to live under the threat of a lawsuit indefinitely.

The length of the statute of limitations varies according to the severity of the injury or underlying cause of action. For example, there is no statute of limitations for murder. We’re not too worried about a murderer not being able to relax because he’s got a possible murder charge hanging over his head for the rest of his life. But for just about every other claim, there is a time limit, and they’re different in every state. Some of the Missouri Statute of Limitation laws are as follows:

Libel/Slander                                    2 years

Medical malpractice                         2 years

Wrongful death                               3 years

Personal injury                                 5 years

Product liability                               5 years

Fraud                                                 10 years

This is by no means an exhaustive list and the interpretation of the statutes can be complicated, so please consult an experienced KC personal injury attorney to ensure you meet all of the deadlines and legal requirements. At Wendt Law Firm P.C., your initial consultation is free and we will only receive a fee in the event of a successful resolution of your case. Contact us today.