Time limit Filing a Missouri Personal Injury Claim

In Missouri, personal injury cases often rely on the concept of “statutes of limitations” which are time limits for filing a compensation claim. It’s essential for Missouri residents to know these limits before filing a personal injury claim. In this article, we’ll discuss the various time limits for filing a personal injury claim in Missouri and what to do if you miss them.

Missouri has two types of statutes of limitation for personal injury cases. The first applies to civil suits and is five years from the date of the injury or when the cause of action occurred. This means you must file a lawsuit within five years of the incident or when you became aware that someone else’s negligence caused your injury.

The second applies to criminal cases and is three years from the date of the offense or discovery by authorities. This means that you must file a criminal action within three years from either when it occurred or when law enforcement officials discovered it.

It’s crucial to act quickly and file your personal injury claim within these time limits. If you fail to do so, you may not be able to file a claim as Missouri’s statutes of limitations generally do not allow plaintiffs to bring suit after the specified time limit has passed.

There are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, minors at the time of the accident and those with physical or mental disabilities preventing them from filing within the time limit may be granted an extension.

It’s important to note that even if you file within the time limit, it doesn’t guarantee success. You still need to prove negligence to receive compensation.

If you’ve missed Missouri’s statutes of limitations, you may apologize to the court and explain why you couldn’t meet the deadline. However, if there are extenuating circumstances, such as disability or immaturity, preventing you from filing within the allotted time frame, you may still present your case before a judge.

Overall, understanding Missouri’s statutes of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is crucial. By understanding these time limits and taking proper steps towards bringing suit against another party, you’ll ensure justice is served and your rights are protected.