Bill > HB2714

This bill establishes new rules for how damages are awarded in lawsuits involving personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death where negligence or an unreasonably unsafe condition is a factor, by introducing a system of "comparative fault." Instead of completely barring a plaintiff from recovering any damages if they were partly at fault (which was the old "contributory negligence" rule), this bill allows recovery but reduces the amount of damages awarded in proportion to the plaintiff's own fault. However, if the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault, they will be completely barred from recovering any damages. The bill also clarifies that if multiple defendants are found liable, each will only be responsible for paying damages in proportion to their share of the fault, and the concept of "joint and several liability" (where one defendant could be held responsible for the entire amount of damages even if others were also at fault) will not apply to plaintiffs who are barred from recovery due to their own high percentage of fault. The court will instruct juries on how to determine the percentage of fault for all parties involved, including the plaintiff, and apply these rules accordingly, with these changes taking effect for any legal claims that arise on or after August 28, 2026.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2714&year=2026&code=R