Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Utah
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-309 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date cause of action accrues — typically date of service or first missed payment, under Utah Code § 78B-2-309.
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If you're researching medical debt collection in Utah, the single most important number is 6 years. That's how long Utah Code § 78B-2-309 gives you to sue over unpaid medical bills, counted from Date cause of action accrues — typically date of service or first missed payment. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Utah Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Debt | 6 years | Utah Code § 78B-2-309 |
| Car Accident | 4 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-307(4) |
| Credit Card Debt | 4 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-307(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-3-404 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Utah Code § 78B-2-304 |
| Personal Injury | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 |
| Dog Bite | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 18-1-1; SOL: § 78B-2-307 |
| Slip and Fall | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307(3) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-302 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-309 |
When the Clock Starts
In Utah, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date cause of action accrues — typically date of service or first missed payment. Utah 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.
Utah Code § 78B-2-309 provides a 6-year period for written contracts. Medical bills accompanied by signed patient financial agreements are treated as written contracts subject to the 6-year period. If there is no signed written agreement (e.g., walk-in clinic with no paperwork), § 78B-2-307 may apply with a 4-year period for open accounts. Minor tolling: § 78B-2-108.
Source: Utah Code § 78B-2-309, official Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | 6 years | Utah Code § 78B-2-309 |
| Idaho | 5 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-216 |
| Wyoming | 10 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i) |
| Colorado | 6 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5 |
| New Mexico | 6 yrs | N.M.S.A. § 37-1-3 |
| Arizona | 6 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
| Nevada | 6 yrs | NRS § 11.190(1)(b) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Utah?
You have 6 years from Date cause of action accrues — typically date of service or first missed payment, under Utah Code § 78B-2-309.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Utah?
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?
Utah 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 Utah Code § 78B-2-309 – Actions Within Six Years (Utah Legislature)
- Corroborating Utah Code § 78B-2-309 (2024) – Justia
- Corroborating Utah Code § 78B-2-309 – 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 Utah attorney.