Under Missouri’s statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases, plaintiffs must take legal action within two years of the date of a healthcare provider’s negligent act or omission. However, several exceptions may give someone more time to take legal action. For example, if a surgeon leaves an object inside a patient’s body, the patient may have two years from the date they discovered or reasonably should have discovered the object. In addition, minors who suffer injuries or health complications from medical malpractice have until their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit. 

Finally, the statute dictates that, under any circumstances, a plaintiff must file their lawsuit within 10 years of the negligent treatment or two years after a minor’s 18th birthday, whichever occurs later.