The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports a common-sense approach to reforming the statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Current law allows plaintiffs up to five years to file a lawsuit in a personal injury case. HB 68 from Rep. Matthew Overcast (R-Ava) would shorten that timeframe to two years.
Overcast presented his bill to the House Commerce Committee this week.
“This would make litigation fair for both the plaintiff and the defendant,” Overcast said. “Over time, evidence does not get better, memories do not get better. By implementing a two-year statute of limitations, it incentivizes individuals to bring their claims earlier. Businesses can also bank on that. They can plan for that.”
Twenty-five states currently have a two-year statute of limitations. Only three states (Maine, North Dakota and Minnesota) exceed Missouri’s five years. Neighboring states Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas and Kentucky all have two-year periods.
Medical malpractice claims already have a two-year statute of limitations in Missouri.
Luke Reed, director of legislative affairs for the Missouri Chamber, testified in favor saying, “This bill protects the integrity of evidence. I come from the insurance world, and this would reduce the exposure and unknown risks by having these adjudicated sooner rather than later.”
For more information, contact Reed at lreed@mochamber.com or 573-300-1450.
