Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Hawaii
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date the cause of action accrued — typically date of last service rendered or date debt first became due, under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1.
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Hawaii law sets a hard deadline of 6 years to sue over unpaid medical bills. The controlling statute is Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1, and the clock generally starts on Date the cause of action accrued — typically date of last service rendered or date debt first became due. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Hawaii Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Debt | 6 years | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 431:10C-315(b) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7.3 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | HRS § 663-3 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | H.R.S. § 663-9 (strict liability); SOL: H.R.S. § 657-7 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-4 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Hawaii, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date the cause of action accrued — typically date of last service rendered or date debt first became due. Hawaii 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.
Hawaii HRS § 657-1 applies a 6-year SOL to all actions for recovery of any debt founded upon any contract, obligation, or liability. Unlike many states, Hawaii does not impose a shorter SOL for oral contracts — written and oral medical agreements are treated identically. Minor tolling under § 657-13 provides that persons under disability (infancy, insanity, or imprisonment) may bring the action within the standard SOL period after the disability is removed.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1, official Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 6 years | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 |
| California | 4 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 |
| Washington | 6 yrs | RCW 4.16.040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Hawaii?
You have 6 years from Date the cause of action accrued — typically date of last service rendered or date debt first became due, under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Hawaii?
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?
Hawaii 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 Hawaii Revised Statutes § 657-1 — Six-Year Limitation of Actions for Contract Debts (Hawaii State Legislature)
- Corroborating Hawaii HRS § 657-1 — Six Years Limitation of Actions (Justia 2025)
- Corroborating Hawaii HRS § 657-1 — Limitation of Actions for Contract Claims (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 Hawaii attorney.