Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Missouri
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
5 years
from Date of injury or date of discovery, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4).
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Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4), you have 5 years from Date of injury or date of discovery to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Missouri. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Missouri-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Missouri Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Slip and Fall | 5 years | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Car Accident | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Credit Card Debt | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | RSMo § 516.105 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.080; § 537.090; § 537.100 |
| Personal Injury | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Dog Bite | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140 |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.110 |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | RSMo § 516.120 |
When the Clock Starts
In Missouri, the limitations period for slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury or date of discovery. Missouri recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Missouri recognizes discovery rule; SOL begins when plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
Missouri has a generous 5-year SOL for personal injury. Sovereign immunity is partially waived for dangerous conditions on public property under RSMo § 537.600(1)(2); no separate pre-suit notice is required for government falls in Missouri.
Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4), official Missouri statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Missouri government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Missouri Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 5 years | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Iowa | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Illinois | 2 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a) |
| Tennessee | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| Arkansas | 3 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 |
| Oklahoma | 2 yrs | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3) |
| Kansas | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Missouri?
You have 5 years from Date of injury or date of discovery, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4).
Can I still sue after 5 years in Missouri?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to slip and fall injury claims in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri recognizes discovery rule; SOL begins when plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the injury and its cause
What if the victim was a minor?
Missouri generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
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Sources
- Official Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120 – Five-Year Limitation for Personal Injury (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)
- Corroborating Missouri Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations – Nolo
- Corroborating Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in Missouri – Ott Law
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Missouri attorney.