Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Oregon

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

6 years

from Date of last payment or date of default on the account, under Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1).

If you're researching medical debt collection in Oregon, the single most important number is 6 years. That's how long Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) gives you to sue over unpaid medical bills, counted from Date of last payment or date of default on the account. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.

Oregon Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Medical Debt	6 years	Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1)
Car Accident	2 yrs	Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110
Credit Card Debt	6 yrs	ORS 12.080(1)
Medical Malpractice	2 yrs	ORS 12.110(4)
Wrongful Death	3 yrs	ORS § 30.020
Personal Injury	2 yrs	Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1)
Dog Bite	2 yrs	ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1)
Slip and Fall	2 yrs	Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1)
Defamation	1 yr	ORS 12.120(2)
Breach of Contract	6 yrs	ORS 12.080(1)

When the Clock Starts

In Oregon, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date of last payment or date of default on the account. Oregon does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.

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.

Oregon's 6-year period under ORS 12.080(1) applies uniformly to all express and implied contracts. Medical bills are subject to this period. Minor tolling available under ORS 12.160. Clock typically starts when payment first became due or on date of last activity.

Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1), official Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Oregon	6 years	Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1)
Washington	6 yrs	RCW 4.16.040
Idaho	5 yrs	Idaho Code § 5-216
Nevada	6 yrs	NRS § 11.190(1)(b)
California	4 yrs	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Oregon?

You have 6 years from Date of last payment or date of default on the account, under Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1).

Can I still sue after 6 years in Oregon?

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?

Oregon 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.

Sources

Official Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 12 — Limitations of Actions and Suits (Oregon Legislature)
Corroborating 2025 Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.080 — Action on Certain Contracts or Liabilities (Justia)
Corroborating Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.080 — Action on Certain Contracts or Liabilities (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 Oregon attorney.