Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in North Carolina

It depends. I'd have to see more facts. The statue of limitations in general is 3 years. However, once judgment is entered, it is good for 10 years. If the creditor wants to be able to continue to collect on the judgment, they essentially have to bring a new action by filing another complaint. So, if this is what occurred here, then yes, they can do it and its perfectly lawful.

If this bill is truly from 12 years ago and there never was a judgment entered and it is a North Carolina debt and there are no othrer factors which would extend the statute (for example, if you got medical treatment in NC and then moved out of state and moved back after 12 years), then no they can't.

I suggest that if you are sued by the medical facility that you immediately take the complaint to a local general civil litigation attorney or one who handles resolution of credit card and other unsecured debts.