This law protects people and companies from lawsuits over products used to fight COVID-19. If someone made or gave away a COVID-19 product outside their normal business, or changed how they made it because of the emergency, they generally cannot be sued. To win a lawsuit anyway, the person suing has to prove with strong evidence that the company acted recklessly or did something wrong on purpose, and that this caused the harm. This protection does not cover cases where a company lied in its advertising.
537.1015. s, no COVID-19 , when — evidence required for — inapplicability, when. — 1. to the contrary, and except as otherwise provided in this section, no individual or who designs, , imports, , labels, packages, s, sells, or donates a covered product shall be in a if the individual or entity:
(1) Does not make the covered product in the ordinary course of business;
(2) Does make the covered product in the ordinary course of business, however the emergency due to COVID-19 requires the covered product to be made in a manufacturing that is outside the ordinary course of business; or
(3) Does make the covered product in the ordinary course of business and use of the covered product is different than its recommended purpose and used in response to the emergency due to COVID-19.
2. For a to in a COVID-19 products liability action over the use or misuse of a covered product, the plaintiff shall prove by :
(1) or by the individual or entity; and
(2) That the alleged harm, damage, , or resulting in the personal injury was caused by the alleged recklessness or willful misconduct.
3. The of this section shall not apply to any in connection with the of any covered product.
4. The provisions of this section shall apply to any for that has a with the to or use by an individual of a covered product, including a causal relationship with the design, development, clinical testing or investigation, , labeling, , formulation, packaging, marketing, , sale, purchase, lease, donation, , prescribing, administration, licensing, or use of such covered product.
5. The provisions of this section shall apply only if the covered product was administered or used for the treatment of or protection against COVID-19.
6. The provisions of this section shall apply to a covered product regardless of whether such covered product is obtained by donation, commercial sale, or any other means of distribution by or in with federal, state, or local public health officials or the private sector.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2021 S.B. 51 & 42) Expires 8-28-25; see § 537.1035
Related Missouri laws
Health care providers, immunity from liability, exceptions
RSMo 537.1010
Punitive damages, when
RSMo 537.1020
COVID-19 exposure, immunity from liability, when
RSMo 537.1005
Limitation of action
RSMo 537.100
Definitions
RSMo 537.1000
Expiration date
RSMo 537.1035
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.