Missouri Sexual Abuse Survivors: Know How Long You Have to Seek Justice

Many sexual abuse survivors are reluctant to come forward to make a personal injury claim against their assailants. Some are afraid to accuse their abuser; some find the memories of the incident too difficult to deal with. Often, children may not understand what happened to them until many years later.

The Kansas City personal injury lawyers at Peterson Law Firm understand the challenges of reliving a sexual assault or abuse, but when you feel ready to hold your assailant accountable, our caring legal team is ready to help. We will explain Missouri law and the special rules that apply to extend the time you have to file suit; help determine if you still have a case; and guide you through the legal process to help you seek justice.

Missouri Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse

A statute of limitations is a legal time limit for filing a civil lawsuit or pressing criminal charges. The reasoning behind these laws is that over time, evidence may be lost, and memories can fade, making cases harder to prove. Statutes of limitations vary by state and type of legal claim.

In Missouri, sexual abuse victims typically have two years from the date of injury to file. However, the state makes the following critical exceptions for sexual abuse claims:

• Childhood sexual abuse. If the victim was sexually abused as a child, they have until the age of 31 or within three years of the discovery of the harm, whichever happens later.
• Awareness of sexual abuse. The deadline can be extended further if the victim was not aware that their symptoms or injuries were caused by sexual abuse.

A recent bill passed by the House of Representatives in early 2025 extends the deadline for victims to file to age 41. This change allows more survivors to seek justice for the abuse they experienced. The bill is awaiting consideration in the Missouri Senate. 

These special rules acknowledge that survivors of sexual abuse, especially those who experienced childhood abuse, often need time to process their trauma before they're ready to take legal action. Don't assume your case is too old. Talk to our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys to understand your options.

Delays: Overcoming the Challenges of Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

Even with Missouri's extended deadlines for sexual abuse claims compared to other personal injury cases, some situations can make it more difficult to bring a successful lawsuit, including the following:

• If you have repressed memories. In some cases, sexual abuse survivors may have repressed memories of their trauma for years or even decades. Missouri’s Discovery Rule allows the statute of limitations to begin when a survivor discovers or reasonably should have discovered that the abuse occurred and caused them harm. However, the defense may argue the memory is false. An experienced attorney can help prove the credibility of your recovered memory.
• If there’s a cover-up by an organization. Unfortunately, some sexual abuse cases involve cover-ups by companies, organizations, and institutions. For example, the Catholic Church has been involved in a sexual abuse scandal, as has Boy Scouts of America. The institutions may try to argue your case is too old, but an attorney can investigate when the organization actually knew of the abuse to extend your filing deadline.
• If you can’t find the assailant or responsible parties. It may be difficult to locate your assailant and serve them with a lawsuit if the sexual abuse happened many years ago. If the abuser has passed away, you may still have a case against their estate or an institution that harbored them. A lawyer can help track down the appropriate parties to sue.
• If proof is difficult to find. Key evidence like physical proof of abuse, medical records, or witnesses can be harder to produce as years pass. However, your own credible testimony is powerful evidence. A skilled litigator can help you build the strongest case possible.

The sooner you consult with our personal injury attorneys, the more options you may have for holding your assailant accountable. Even if the abuse happened long ago, our compassionate Kansas City personal injury lawyers will listen to your story and advise you of your legal rights.

Potential Damages in a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

When you file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse in Missouri, you can seek compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses for physical injuries or sexual abuse-related conditions
• Therapy costs to address the emotional and psychological trauma of abuse
• Lost wages if the abuse impacted your education or career
• Pain and suffering damages for the toll the abuse has taken on your quality of life
• In some cases, punitive damages to punish particularly egregious abusers

The personal injury attorneys at Peterson Law Firm understand that no amount of money can fix the psychological harm done by sexual abuse. However, a sexual abuse lawsuit can help provide justice, accountability, and financial resources to aid in your healing process. It may also help protect others from suffering similar abuse.

Why Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

At Peterson Law Firm, we know it takes enormous courage for sexual abuse survivors to come forward and seek legal help. When you reach out to our firm, you can count on discretion and sensitivity as we pursue the justice you deserve. If we take your case, we will:

• Investigate your case to gather important evidence, identify possible defendants, and locate witnesses
• Consult with experts such as doctors and psychologists to help prove how the abuse has impacted your life
• Handle all communication with the defendants and insurance companies so you can focus on healing
• Negotiate for a fair settlement that provides you with needed compensation and accountability
• Take your case to trial if the other side won't agree to a fair resolution

Contact Peterson Law Firm for Compassionate Help and Advice

Peterson Law Firm has fought for the rights of our clients since 1993. We support sex abuse survivors and work hard to get them compensation and justice. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, contact our respected attorneys for legal help. We provide a free and confidential case evaluation where we’ll answer your questions, connect you with resources, and discuss your situation in a private environment. We have the skill, experience, and empathy necessary to help you hold an assailant accountable. Read our case results to see how we’ve helped other abuse clients get justice.