Missouri § 340.285 - Statute of limitations for malpractice, negligence, error, or mistake related to veterinary care of animals.
Full text of Missouri Revised Statutes of Missouri § 340.285 — Statute of limitations for malpractice, negligence, error, or mistake related to veterinary care of animals., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 340.285. Statute of limitations for malpractice, negligence, error, or mistake related to veterinary care of animals.
All actions against veterinarians treating animals and any other entity providing veterinary services for animals, and all employees of any of the foregoing acting in the course and scope of their employment, for damages for malpractice, negligence, error, or mistake related to the veterinary care of animals shall be brought within two years from the date of occurrence of the act of neglect complained of, except that:
(1) In cases in which the act of neglect complained of is introducing and negligently permitting any foreign object to remain within the body of a living animal, the action shall be brought within two years from the date of the discovery of such alleged negligence or from the date on which the owner of an animal in the exercise of ordinary care should have discovered such alleged negligence, whichever date occurs first; and
(2) In cases in which the act of neglect complained of is the negligent failure to inform, the action shall be brought within two years from the date of the discovery of such alleged negligent failure to inform or from the date on which the owner of the animal in the exercise of ordinary care should have discovered such alleged negligent failure to inform, whichever date first occurs; except that, no such action shall be brought for any negligent failure to inform about the results of medical tests performed more than two years before August 28, 2017. For purposes of this subdivision, the act of neglect based on the negligent failure to inform the owner of the animal of the results of medical tests shall not include the act of informing the owner of the animal of erroneous test results.
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(L. 2017 S.B. 88)
---- end of effective 28 Aug 2017 ----
Source: official Missouri text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri § 340.285
What does Revised Statutes of Missouri § 340.285 cover?
Section 340.285 ("Statute of limitations for malpractice, negligence, error, or mistake related to veterinary care of animals.") is part of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, the codified statutory law of Missouri. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Missouri § 340.285?
A common citation format is "Revised Statutes of Missouri § 340.285" (Missouri). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Missouri law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Missouri official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Missouri attorney.
How does Missouri § 340.285 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Missouri can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.