medical bills-how long active?

[quilt4luv]

What is the name of your state? Nebraska
I have several pages on my credit report of medical bills from 3 years ago when I was in a very bad accident. I do not get calls from creditors or bills at this time, however I have been approved for disability and will start getting monthly checks. I don't want the creditors to take this money or my retro check, I am thinking I should file bankruptcy. Question is how long do these medical bills stay on my credit report and is there a statue of limitation to how many years they have to "collect".? Possibly they can't try to collect from me any longer?
Thanks

 

[Ladynred]

Negative entries can stay on your credit report for 7 years +180 days from the date of delinquency that immediately preceeded the collection or charge-off. So I'd say you've got 4+ years to go on your credit.

Disablity is exempt income - it cannot be taken from you, in a bankruptcy or judgment.

Worst case, the statute of limitations (SOL) on written contracts is 5 years in NE, after that they lose all legal enforcement methods to collect on a debt. IF you were to be sued, the expired SOL would be defense enough to have the case thrown out.

Unless you've got a lot of other non-exempt assets, bankruptcy may be overkill at this point - unless someone is threatening to sue you now.