Where were the most asbestos exposures in Missouri?

St. Louis was the center of Missouri asbestos exposure, home to McDonnell Douglas aircraft manufacturing, Monsanto Chemical's headquarters and plant, and Chrysler's Fenton assembly plants. Kansas City's GM Fairfax Assembly Plant and the statewide Burlington Northern Railroad shop network are also major documented exposure sites.

Missouri Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma

Q: What is Missouri's statute of limitations for mesothelioma?

Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations for asbestos personal injury claims under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120 — one of the longest deadlines in the country. The discovery rule applies, with the clock starting from the date of confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis. Wrongful death claims must be filed within 3 years of the date of death under § 537.100.

St. Louis’s aerospace and chemical industries — led by McDonnell Douglas and Monsanto — created decades of asbestos exposure for tens of thousands of Missouri workers. Kansas City’s auto assembly and railroad shop network add thousands more documented exposure sites across the state.

220+Documented MO exposure sites

5 YearsStatute of limitations from diagnosis

2Major exposure regions

$0Upfront legal costs

Missouri Cities

Critical

St. Louis

McDonnell Douglas aircraft manufacturing, Monsanto Chemical, Chrysler Fenton Assembly

View sites › High

Kansas City

GM Fairfax Assembly Plant, Burlington Northern Railroad Shops, Kansas City Power & Light

View sites ›

Missouri Asbestos Exposure Regions

Region	Key Sites	Industries	Notes
St. Louis	McDonnell Douglas (Boeing), Monsanto Chemical, Chrysler Fenton Assembly, American Car & Foundry	Aerospace, Chemical, Auto Manufacturing	McDonnell Douglas built military aircraft for decades using asbestos brake and insulation components
Kansas City	GM Fairfax Assembly Plant, Burlington Northern Railroad Shops, Kansas City Power & Light	Auto Manufacturing, Railroad, Power Generation	Major rail hub with extensive locomotive and rail car maintenance shops
Jefferson City / Central Missouri	Chrysler/Truman-era state facilities, Missouri river barge terminals	Manufacturing, Transportation	State capital industrial corridor along the Missouri River

Missouri Asbestos Industry Overview

Industry	Active Period	Primary Locations	Risk Level
Aerospace Manufacturing	1939–present	St. Louis	Critical
Chemical Manufacturing	1920–present	St. Louis	Critical
Auto Assembly	1930–present	St. Louis, Kansas City	High
Railroad Maintenance	1880–1975	Kansas City, statewide	High
Power Generation	1930–1985	Statewide	Moderate

Missouri Legal Information

Claim Type	Deadline	Governing Law
Personal Injury	5 years from diagnosis	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120 — discovery rule applies
Wrongful Death	3 years from date of death	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.100
Trust Fund Claims	Varies by trust	Can be filed simultaneously with lawsuit
VA Benefits	No deadline	Federal; can pursue while lawsuit is pending

Missouri’s 5-year personal injury statute of limitations is among the longest in the nation, giving workers more time to identify exposure sources and file claims. St. Louis City Circuit Court and Jackson County Circuit Court (Kansas City) handle the largest volume of Missouri asbestos litigation.

Missouri Mesothelioma FAQs

What is Missouri’s statute of limitations for mesothelioma?

Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120 provides 5 years from the date of diagnosis for asbestos personal injury claims — one of the longest deadlines in the country. The discovery rule means the clock starts when you receive a confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis. Wrongful death claims have a separate, shorter 3-year deadline under § 537.100, so it’s important to act promptly if a loved one has passed away.

Were McDonnell Douglas workers in St. Louis exposed to asbestos?

Yes. McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) has manufactured military and commercial aircraft in St. Louis since 1939, using asbestos in brake assemblies, engine insulation, and fireproofing materials. Assembly line workers, mechanics, and maintenance personnel who worked with these components may have been exposed. McDonnell Douglas is frequently named in Missouri asbestos litigation.

Can Monsanto Chemical workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Monsanto’s headquarters and chemical manufacturing operations in St. Louis used asbestos extensively in pipe insulation, reactor vessels, and protective equipment for decades. Workers in maintenance, operations, and construction roles at Monsanto facilities may have valid claims against Monsanto and the manufacturers who supplied asbestos-containing products to the plant.