In Missouri, most St. Louis claims for dog bite injuries carry a statute of limitations of five years. This deadline usually begins counting down from the day the bite or injury occurs.
516.120. What actions within five years. — Within five years:
(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;
If you miss this five-year window, you lose your chance to ask the court for compensation from the person or party responsible.
Purpose of Statute of Limitations
Limiting the filing period helps keep cases fair, supports stronger cases, and avoids draining the court system with claims based on memories that have faded. Ultimately, the two main reasons for this deadline include:
Preserve Evidence
Having a clear deadline encourages people to collect evidence, such as photos, medical reports, or witness details, while those things are still fresh and easier to find. The longer you wait, the more difficult it’s going to be to obtain all the evidence needed to prove a claim.
Ensure Fairness
These timelines guard the potential defendant from having someone bring a claim against them 10 years later after so much time has passed that it is impossible to investigate fairly. When that much time has passed, it becomes almost impossible for them to get the right evidence in the way that they would have been able to do closer to the incident.
If you were attacked or hurt by a dog, acting quickly (within reason) gives you the best chance of bringing a strong claim.
Are There Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations For Dog Bites?
While court deadlines are strict, exceptions sometimes apply. Some common exceptions include:
Injured Minors
If a child is bitten by a dog, the clock to file often does not start until the child turns 21. From that date, they have 5 years to file. This ensures children who can’t bring lawsuits themselves still have protection under the law.
Most states pause these cases until the minor turns 18, so Missouri provides quite a bit of extra time for injured children in these cases.
Delayed Discovery of Injury
Injuries that are unable to be discovered right away can push the deadline, starting when it is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. This is rare in dog bite cases, but it’s not impossible.
Defendant Leaves the State
If the dog’s owner moves or disappears from Missouri before a case can be filed, state law often pauses the deadline. The clock might not run while the responsible party is gone and cannot be served. This is done to ensure someone doesn’t avoid liability by simply disappearing for 5 years.
These exceptions are rare and very fact-specific. To protect your interests and learn the true deadline for your case, always talk with a lawyer as early as you can. Call our team at Meyerkord & Kurth today to schedule a free consultation with our St. Louis dog bite lawyer.