Missouri law lets patients injured by a defective medical device sue the manufacturer under strict products liability — no need to prove carelessness — within Missouri's five-year window.
Last refreshed August 27, 2026
| Stable fields | RSMo § 537.760 framework, Five-year limitation, Device practice list | Dynamic fields | Active recall and MDL dockets, A specific device's litigation status |
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Yes — defective-medical-device injuries are products-liability claims in Missouri, and Cofman Townsley handles them from St. Louis. Under RSMo § 537.760 a claimant proves the device was sold in a defective condition unreasonably dangerous, or lacked an adequate warning — strict liability, no proof of negligence required. Missouri's general five-year statute (§ 516.120) is among the longest in the country, but device litigation is often consolidated nationally, so timing still matters.
Keep the device, keep the packaging, and act early. The device itself is the central evidence in a defect claim. Cofman Townsley reviews Missouri device cases free, 24/7. This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Do I have to prove the manufacturer was negligent?
No — Missouri products liability is strict liability under RSMo § 537.760. You prove the device was defective and unreasonably dangerous in anticipated use, or lacked an adequate warning; carelessness is not an element.
How long do I have to sue over a defective device in Missouri?
Generally five years under RSMo § 516.120 — one of the longest windows in the country. But recalls and consolidated dockets move on their own schedules, so early review matters.
What if I was partly at fault in using the device?
Missouri's pure comparative fault (§ 537.765) reduces recovery by your fault percentage but never bars it — unlike the 50/51% cutoff states.
Which devices are currently in litigation?
Cofman Townsley's active list includes recalled CPAP/sleep-apnea machines, chemical hair straighteners, and benzene-contaminated sunscreens, plus implant and class-action dockets.
What does it cost to hire a defective-device lawyer?
Consultations are free, 24/7, and injury representation is contingency-based — the review costs nothing and the evaluation covers whether an individual suit or a mass docket fits your case.