Can I sue for being shot or stabbed in St. Louis?
Often, yes. If you were shot or stabbed on a St. Louis property — an apartment complex, bar or nightclub, parking garage, store, hotel, or transit stop — and the owner failed to provide the reasonable security a foreseeable risk called for, Missouri law may let you hold that owner financially responsible through a negligent-security claim. You are not suing for the crime itself; you are suing the property owner for the security failures that made a foreseeable attack possible. This is separate from any criminal case against the attacker.
St. Louis negligent-security law — the short version
St. Louis cases are governed by Missouri law. Missouri imposes a duty only where the business knew or had reason to know similar crime was reasonably likely in that area of the premises (Business Premises Safety Act, §537.787). A negligent-security lawsuit here is generally filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis (22nd Judicial Circuit) (City of St. Louis). For the full Missouri standard — deadlines, how fault is shared, and what you can recover — see our Missouri negligent security page.
Public safety in St. Louis
St. Louis has historically ranked among the highest big-city violent-crime rates, but homicides fell to roughly an 11-year low in 2024 and dropped again in 2025 — the lowest year-to-date figures in about two decades. Around 90% of city homicides involve firearms. A negligent-security case turns on the record of prior crime at the specific property and whether the owner ignored a known risk.
Where these cases happen in St. Louis
In St. Louis, these claims commonly arise downtown and along the entertainment corridors — Washington Avenue, Soulard, and the Grove/Manchester strip — as well as in higher-crime residential areas across the north side. Common property types are apartment complexes, bars and nightclubs, restaurants, parking lots and garages, gas stations and convenience stores, hotels, and shopping centers.
Good to know in St. Louis
Because St. Louis is an independent city, a negligent-security case arising within the city limits is filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis (the 22nd Judicial Circuit) — not the separate St. Louis County court (the 21st Circuit), which handles incidents in county municipalities such as Florissant or Clayton. Confirm which applies based on where the property actually sits.
Deadlines for a St. Louis case
- Negligence / personal injury: generally five years from the date of the incident from the date of the incident.
- Wrongful death: generally three years from the date of death.
Missouri’s five-year personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states — but wrongful-death claims must be filed within three years, and critical evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage and other evidence disappear quickly, so it is important to act fast.
Why St. Louis victims choose The Haggard Law Firm
The firm has handled nearly 500 negligent-security cases nationwide and secured the largest negligent-security verdict in U.S. history ($102.7 million). We help St. Louis crime victims and their families with no fee unless we win.
How we handle a Missouri case — working with local counsel
The Haggard Law Firm is based in Coral Gables, Florida, and Michael A. Haggard is licensed to practice law in Florida. Mr. Haggard is not licensed in Missouri. Negligent security and crime-victim litigation is the firm’s core focus, and because of the national reputation the firm has built in this specific area, Mr. Haggard regularly works on Missouri cases as co-counsel with a locally licensed Missouri attorney, seeking admission pro hac vice (for the individual case) where the court’s rules permit. Any Missouri matter would be handled together with local counsel admitted in Missouri.
If you were shot, stabbed, or lost a loved one to a preventable crime in Missouri, you can still reach out to us directly. We will review your case for free and, where appropriate, associate with a qualified Missouri attorney to pursue it.
This page is attorney advertising and general information only; it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Michael A. Haggard is licensed in Florida. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue for being shot in St. Louis?
Often, yes. If you were shot on a St. Louis property that failed to provide reasonable security against a foreseeable risk, you may be able to sue the property owner for negligent security — separately from any criminal case against the shooter. A free case review will tell you if you have a claim.
Where do I file a negligent-security lawsuit in St. Louis?
A St. Louis negligent-security case is generally filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis (22nd Judicial Circuit) (City of St. Louis), under Missouri law.
How long do I have to sue in St. Louis?
Under Missouri law, generally five years from the date of the incident from the incident for a negligence claim and three years from the date of death for wrongful death. Missouri's five-year personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states — but wrongful-death claims must be filed within three years, and critical evidence disappears fast. Confirm your specific deadline with a lawyer quickly.
Is Michael Haggard licensed to practice in Missouri?
Mr. Haggard is licensed in Florida, not in Missouri. Because negligent-security litigation is his firm's core focus and the firm has a national profile in these cases, he regularly serves as co-counsel with a locally licensed Missouri attorney and, where the court permits, appears pro hac vice for the individual case. You can contact the firm directly, and where appropriate it will associate with qualified local counsel in Missouri.
What does it cost to hire the firm?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency — no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you.