Missouri Slip & Fall / Premises Statute of Limitations

Quick answer
In Missouri, the deadline that generally applies to slip & fall / premises claims is 5 years from the date of injury, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120. Certain circumstances can pause or extend this window. This is general legal information, not a personal deadline determination for your situation.
Missouri
Slip & Fall / Premises
General statute of limitations
5
years to file
In Missouri, a slip & fall / premises claim must generally be filed within 5 years of the date of injury. Filing after this window typically bars the claim permanently.
Governing statute: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120

What starts the clock, and tolling exceptions

Clock typically starts
Date of injury or incident
The general rule is that the SOL begins running on the date the injury occurred. Some states apply a discovery rule if the injury was not immediately apparent.
Government defendants
Notice of claim may be required
If your claim is against a government entity (a city, county, state agency, or public employee), most states require a separate notice of claim within 30 to 180 days. Missing this notice deadline can bar your claim entirely, independent of the SOL.
Tolling: when the clock may pause
Claims against government entities (public sidewalks, government buildings) often require a separate notice of claim within 30–180 days. The general SOL applies to private property defendants. Minor claimants typically have additional time.

Filing deadlines by claim type in Missouri

Claim typeDeadlineStatute
Personal Injury5 yearsMo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120
Car Accident5 yearsMo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120
Slip & Fall / Premises5 yearsMo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120
Medical Malpractice2 yearsMo. Rev. Stat. § 516.105 (HB 68, eff. Aug. 28, 2025)
Wrongful Death3 yearsMo. Rev. Stat. § 537.100

What cases like this have ranged for

Illustrative · national · not case-specific
$12,000 – $200,000+
Slip and fall claims turn heavily on notice of the hazard and documented harm.
Personal injury settlement calculator →How these ranges are compiled →
Educational information only: not legal advice
This result reflects the general statutory period for slip & fall / premises claims in Missouri based on publicly available statutes. Your actual deadline may differ based on the specific facts of your case, applicable tolling rules, discovery rule application, government defendant requirements, and other circumstances. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Caseworth makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information. Consult a licensed attorney in Missouri before making any decisions about your claim.
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Common questions

What is the statute of limitations for a slip & fall / premises claim in Missouri?

In Missouri, the general statute of limitations for slip & fall / premises claims is 5 years under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120. This is general educational information; the deadline that applies to matters like yours may differ based on the specific facts of the case. Consult a licensed attorney in Missouri to confirm the deadline for your situation.

What starts the clock on the Missouri slip & fall / premises deadline?

The general rule is that the SOL begins running on the date the injury occurred. Some states apply a discovery rule if the injury was not immediately apparent.

Are there tolling exceptions in Missouri?

Yes. Claims against government entities (public sidewalks, government buildings) often require a separate notice of claim within 30–180 days. The general SOL applies to private property defendants. Minor claimants typically have additional time. Tolling rules vary by state and case type, so it is worth confirming with a licensed attorney in Missouri whether an exception applies to matters like yours.

What have cases like this ranged for?

Nationally, cases like this have historically ranged $12,000 – $200,000+ (illustrative, not specific to Missouri or to any individual case). Slip and fall claims turn heavily on notice of the hazard and documented harm. See the Settlement Data & Methodology hub for how these ranges are compiled.

Learn more: Settlement Data & Methodology · Statute of Limitations Checker · Personal injury settlement calculator

Other claim types in Missouri

What is my case worth in Missouri? — cited value range + this deadline

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