Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Georgia
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date the written contract became due and payable; for open accounts, date of last charge or credit posted to the account, under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24.
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If you're researching medical debt collection in Georgia, the single most important number is 6 years. That's how long O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 gives you to sue over unpaid medical bills, counted from Date the written contract became due and payable; for open accounts, date of last charge or credit posted to the account. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Georgia Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Debt | 6 years | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-71 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1 et seq.; O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 (vicious animal liability); SOL: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 |
When the Clock Starts
In Georgia, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date the written contract became due and payable; for open accounts, date of last charge or credit posted to the account. Georgia does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
Georgia applies a 6-year SOL to simple written contracts under § 9-3-24 and a 4-year SOL to oral contracts and open accounts under § 9-3-25. Medical bills are treated as written contracts when a patient signs a financial agreement (6-year SOL) or as open accounts when no written contract exists (4-year SOL). Minor tolling under § 9-3-90 grants the minor the full SOL period beginning at age 18. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) is published for the General Assembly through the legis.ga.gov portal.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24, official Georgia statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Georgia government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Georgia Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 6 years | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 |
| Florida | 5 yrs | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(b) |
| Alabama | 6 yrs | Ala. Code § 6-2-34 |
| Tennessee | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
| North Carolina | 3 yrs | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(1) |
| South Carolina | 3 yrs | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Georgia?
You have 6 years from Date the written contract became due and payable; for open accounts, date of last charge or credit posted to the account, under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Georgia?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Georgia generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
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Sources
- Official Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) — Georgia General Assembly Code Viewer
- Corroborating Georgia Code § 9-3-24 — Actions on Simple Written Contracts; Exceptions (Justia 2024)
- Corroborating Georgia Code § 9-3-24 — Written Contract Statute of Limitations (FindLaw)
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Georgia attorney.