Methods and apparatus for extending discharge over-current trip time in a battery protection circuit are disclosed. The protection circuit includes a safety circuit that asserts a first discharge over-current indicator when the discharge current of the battery exceeds a first discharge over-current threshold corresponding to a sustained over-current limit, a delay circuit that applies an added delay to the assertion of the first discharge over-current indicator, and a short circuit detection circuit that asserts a second discharge over-current indicator, with no delay added, when the discharge current exceeds a second discharge over-current threshold corresponding to a cell-specific peak output current limit. The battery protection circuit includes a logic circuit configured to assert a discharge over-current control signal to disable the battery responsive to assertion of the first discharge over-current indicator or the second discharge over-current indicator.