What is the statute of limitations in your state? In Massachusetts, if you are able to ignore a bill for 7 years and the creditor doesn't sue, you can get it off your credit report as a "time barred debt." Different states have different time limits, some are around only 3 years! A credit or finance forum would be more knowledgeable about the point I make.

I hope this is helpful and I am sorry to hear about such an awful unfairly large bill, IMO.