What is the statute of limitations in Missouri?

Missouri civil limitations are codified in Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 516.

1. Personal Injury — 5 Years

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4): An action for taking, detaining or injuring any goods or chattels, including actions for the recovery of specific personal property, or for any other injury to the person or rights of another, not arising on contract and not herein otherwise enumerated — 5 years. This is one of the longest personal injury periods in the country.

2. Written Contract — 10 Years

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.110(1): An action upon any writing, whether sealed or unsealed, for the payment of money or property — 10 years.

3. Oral Contract — 5 Years

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1): All actions upon contracts, obligations or liabilities, express or implied, except those mentioned in section 516.110 — 5 years.

4. Property Damage — 5 Years

Same 5 years under § 516.120(4).

5. Fraud — 5 Years (Discovery Rule)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(5): An action for relief on the ground of fraud, the cause of action in such case to be deemed not to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud, provided that no such action shall be maintained more than 10 years after the perpetration of the fraud — 5 years from discovery, max 10 years.

6. Medical Malpractice — 2 Years / 10-Year Repose

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.105: All actions against physicians, hospitals, dentists, registered or licensed practical nurses, optometrists, podiatrists, pharmacists, chiropractors, professional physical therapists, and any other entity providing health care services and all employees of any of the foregoing — 2 years from the date of occurrence. Foreign objects: 2 years from discovery, max 10 years. Minors under 10: until age 12.

7. Wrongful Death — 3 Years

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.100: Every action under sections 537.080 to 537.095 shall be commenced within 3 years after the cause of action accrues.

8. Other Notable Periods

Defamation: 2 years (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140).

Judgments: 10 years, presumed paid after 10, revivable (§ 516.350).

UCC sale of goods: 4 years (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 400.2-725).

Sovereign immunity / public entity: 90-day notice for cities (§ 82.210 for Kansas City; § 79.480 for fourth-class cities; check applicable charter).

9. Tolling

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.170 tolls for minority (under 21 in some contexts; under 18 modern) and mental incapacity.

This is legal information, not legal advice.