{"attribution":{"source":"legal.exploreworldai.com","canonical":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:lactapp-56-669-ca-2025-12-17","cite_as":"NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:lactapp-56-669-ca-2025-12-17)","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision","version":"legal-2026-10-17","fingerprint":"ewai:us:e7344b","proof":"sha256:901f2a4ae698f121e6d2fc8bd34fc092796052f1dfb231bcd14bc8a667ec8b93","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en","publisher":"NovaCopilot by ExploreWorld Legal","terms":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/om"},"brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","item":{"schema_version":"1.0.0","id":"us:lactapp-56-669-ca-2025-12-17","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en","brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","brand":{"product":"NovaCopilot","platform":"ExploreWorldAI","infrastructure":"ExploreWorld Legal","infrastructure_url":"legal.exploreworldai.com","legal_entity":"Valkiv Ventures AB","permanent_url":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/novacopilot","source":"Source: NovaCopilot","powered_by":"Powered by NovaCopilot","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/licensvillkor"},"sections":[{"title":"Front matter","paragraphs":["para_1","para_2","para_3","para_4","para_5","para_6","para_7","para_8","para_9","para_10","para_11","para_12","para_13","para_14","para_15","para_16","para_17","para_18","para_19","para_20","para_21","para_22","para_23","para_24","para_25","para_26","para_27","para_28","para_29","para_30","para_31","para_32","para_33","para_34","para_35","para_36","para_37","para_38","para_39","para_40","para_41","para_42","para_43","para_44","para_45","para_46","para_47","para_48","para_49","para_50","para_51","para_52","para_53","para_54","para_55","para_56","para_57","para_58","para_59","para_60","para_61","para_62","para_63","para_64","para_65","para_66","para_67","para_68","para_69","para_70","para_71","para_72","para_73","para_74","para_75","para_76","para_77","para_78","para_79","para_80","para_81","para_82","para_83","para_84","para_85","para_86","para_87","para_88","para_89","para_90","para_91","para_92","para_93","para_94","para_95","para_96","para_97","para_98","para_99","para_100","para_101","para_102","para_103","para_104","para_105","para_106","para_107","para_108","para_109","para_110","para_111","para_112","para_113","para_114","para_115","para_116","para_117","para_118","para_119","para_120","para_121","para_122","para_123","para_124","para_125","para_126","para_127","para_128","para_129","para_130","para_131","para_132","para_133","para_134","para_135","para_136","para_137","para_138","para_139","para_140","para_141","para_142","para_143","para_144","para_145","para_146","para_147","para_148","para_149","para_150","para_151","para_152","para_153","para_154","para_155","para_156","para_157","para_158","para_159","para_160","para_161","para_162","para_163","para_164","para_165","para_166","para_167","para_168","para_169","para_170","para_171","para_172","para_173","para_174","para_175","para_176","para_177","para_178","para_179","para_180","para_181","para_182","para_183","para_184","para_185","para_186","para_187","para_188","para_189","para_190","para_191","para_192","para_193","para_194","para_195","para_196","para_197","para_198","para_199","para_200","para_201","para_202","para_203","para_204","para_205","para_206","para_207","para_208","para_209","para_210","para_211","para_212","para_213","para_214","para_215","para_216","para_217","para_218","para_219","para_220","para_221","para_222","para_223","para_224","para_225","para_226","para_227","para_228","para_229","para_230","para_231","para_232","para_233","para_234","para_235","para_236","para_237","para_238","para_239","para_240","para_241","para_242","para_243"],"kind":"front_matter"}],"paragraphs":[{"text":"Judgment rendered December 17, 2025.","paragraph_id":"para_1"},{"text":"Application for rehearing may be filed","paragraph_id":"para_2"},{"text":"within the delay allowed by Art. 2166,","paragraph_id":"para_3"},{"text":"La. C.C.P.","paragraph_id":"para_4"},{"text":"No. 56,669-CA","paragraph_id":"para_5"},{"text":"COURT OF APPEAL","paragraph_id":"para_6"},{"text":"SECOND CIRCUIT","paragraph_id":"para_7"},{"text":"STATE OF LOUISIANA","paragraph_id":"para_8"},{"text":"* * * * *","paragraph_id":"para_9"},{"text":"KIMBERLY PEARSON RUBY Plaintiff-Appellant","paragraph_id":"para_10"},{"text":"versus","paragraph_id":"para_11"},{"text":"LYNDON BAIN CARPENTER Defendant-Appellee","paragraph_id":"para_12"},{"text":"* * * * *","paragraph_id":"para_13"},{"text":"Appealed from the","paragraph_id":"para_14"},{"text":"Third Judicial District Court for the","paragraph_id":"para_15"},{"text":"Parish of Union, Louisiana","paragraph_id":"para_16"},{"text":"Trial Court No. 49,943","paragraph_id":"para_17"},{"text":"Honorable Bruce E. Hampton, Judge","paragraph_id":"para_18"},{"text":"* * * * *","paragraph_id":"para_19"},{"text":"LAW OFFICES OF STREET & STREET Counsel for Appellant","paragraph_id":"para_20"},{"text":"By: C. Daniel Street","paragraph_id":"para_21"},{"text":"DOLLAR LAW FIRM, LLC Counsel for Appellee","paragraph_id":"para_22"},{"text":"By: Johnny E. Dollar","paragraph_id":"para_23"},{"text":"* * * * *","paragraph_id":"para_24"},{"text":"Before PITMAN, STONE, and ELLENDER, JJ.","paragraph_id":"para_25"},{"text":"PITMAN, C. J.","paragraph_id":"para_26"},{"text":"Plaintiff Kimberly Pearson Ruby appeals the judgment of the trial","paragraph_id":"para_27"},{"text":"court dismissing her claim for damages brought under La. R.S. 22:1871, et","paragraph_id":"para_28"},{"text":"seq., the Health Care Consumer Billing and Disclosure Protection Act, a/k/a","paragraph_id":"para_29"},{"text":"Balanced Billing Act (“BBA”), and the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices","paragraph_id":"para_30"},{"text":"Act (“LUTPA”) against her chiropractor, Defendant Lyndon Bain","paragraph_id":"para_31"},{"text":"Carpenter. For the following reasons, the judgment of the trial court is","paragraph_id":"para_32"},{"text":"affirmed.","paragraph_id":"para_33"},{"text":"FACTS","paragraph_id":"para_34"},{"text":"Plaintiff was involved in an automobile accident and suffered injuries","paragraph_id":"para_35"},{"text":"on March 9, 2019. She sought treatment for her spine injuries from","paragraph_id":"para_36"},{"text":"Defendant at his chiropractic clinic in Farmerville. Her treatment started on","paragraph_id":"para_37"},{"text":"May 19, 2019, and concluded on March 30, 2020. Her treatment from","paragraph_id":"para_38"},{"text":"May 19, 2019, through August 5, 2019, was paid for by her health insurer,","paragraph_id":"para_39"},{"text":"United Healthcare, through her employment with Century Link. Defendant","paragraph_id":"para_40"},{"text":"was contracted with United Healthcare; thus, that treatment was considered","paragraph_id":"para_41"},{"text":"“in network” and was provided to Plaintiff at the discounted contractual","paragraph_id":"para_42"},{"text":"price.","paragraph_id":"para_43"},{"text":"In August 2019, Plaintiff changed jobs and her coverage with United","paragraph_id":"para_44"},{"text":"Healthcare terminated. Because her chiropractic care continued, Plaintiff","paragraph_id":"para_45"},{"text":"informed Defendant that her bills were to be sent to State Farm, which was","paragraph_id":"para_46"},{"text":"the tortfeasor’s insurer for the automobile accident. She informed him that","paragraph_id":"para_47"},{"text":"State Farm had accepted responsibility and had authorized direct billing for","paragraph_id":"para_48"},{"text":"her medical treatment. Defendant verified this fact; and at her specific","paragraph_id":"para_49"},{"text":"order to do so, he began billing State Farm for her care and filed a medical","paragraph_id":"para_50"},{"text":"lien against her future settlement.","paragraph_id":"para_51"},{"text":"2","paragraph_id":"para_52"},{"text":"Plaintiff obtained Blue Cross Blue Shield (“BCBS”) coverage","paragraph_id":"para_53","court_paragraph":2},{"text":"through her new employment, which went into effect on October 1, 2019.","paragraph_id":"para_54"},{"text":"Although she claims she informed Defendant’s office of this new coverage,","paragraph_id":"para_55"},{"text":"he did not have any record that BCBS was now to be billed for her","paragraph_id":"para_56"},{"text":"treatment, and he continued to bill State Farm. Upon her retention of an","paragraph_id":"para_57"},{"text":"attorney and Defendant’s receipt of his letter of representation dated","paragraph_id":"para_58"},{"text":"January 14, 2020, Defendant began billing her attorney.","paragraph_id":"para_59"},{"text":"The bill for the period of August 12, 2019, through January 10, 2020,","paragraph_id":"para_60"},{"text":"totaled $5,365. Treatment between January and March 30, 2020, totaled an","paragraph_id":"para_61"},{"text":"additional $2,220. Defendant provided Plaintiff’s attorney with a final","paragraph_id":"para_62"},{"text":"invoice in the amount of $7,585.00 on July 9, 2020. The personal injury","paragraph_id":"para_63"},{"text":"case settled on August 19, 2020, with checks being issued on August 28,","paragraph_id":"para_64"},{"text":"2020. Plaintiff’s attorney paid Defendant $5,365, which was based on an","paragraph_id":"para_65"},{"text":"earlier billing amount prior to completion of treatment. On September 1,","paragraph_id":"para_66"},{"text":"2020, Defendant notified the attorney that the check was $2,220 less than","paragraph_id":"para_67"},{"text":"he was owed, but the attorney told him that Plaintiff owed the difference","paragraph_id":"para_68"},{"text":"because she should have stopped treatment earlier. Eventually, Plaintiff","paragraph_id":"para_69"},{"text":"paid Defendant $2,220 under protest. This amount was partially funded by","paragraph_id":"para_70"},{"text":"a loan from her attorney.","paragraph_id":"para_71"},{"text":"On September 3, 2020, Defendant received a copy of Plaintiff’s","paragraph_id":"para_72"},{"text":"BCBS enrollment card effective October 1, 2019, with a notation for","paragraph_id":"para_73"},{"text":"coverage of her care after she “came off personal injury.” Defendant was","paragraph_id":"para_74"},{"text":"never informed of any BCBS coverage until September 3, 2020.","paragraph_id":"para_75"},{"text":"Plaintiff claims that the attorney was “forced to investigate the","paragraph_id":"para_76"},{"text":"matter” and discovered “about the payments made by United Healthcare","paragraph_id":"para_77"},{"text":"and found out about the BCBS coverage which revealed a violation of the","paragraph_id":"para_78"},{"text":"3","paragraph_id":"para_79"},{"text":"Balanced Billing Act.” Plaintiff filed suit seeking redress for the alleged","paragraph_id":"para_80","court_paragraph":3},{"text":"violations of the BBA. She claimed that had Defendant billed BCBS as he","paragraph_id":"para_81"},{"text":"should have, she would not have had to pay anything for treatment from","paragraph_id":"para_82"},{"text":"October 1, 2019, when the BCBS coverage went into effect, because that","paragraph_id":"para_83"},{"text":"coverage had no deductible and no copay required. She sought recovery of","paragraph_id":"para_84"},{"text":"damages, treble damages and attorney fees for violations of the BBA and","paragraph_id":"para_85"},{"text":"the LUTPA.","paragraph_id":"para_86"},{"text":"The matter was set for trial and was heard on October 21, 2024, and","paragraph_id":"para_87"},{"text":"taken under advisement. On February 7, 2025, the trial court filed its","paragraph_id":"para_88"},{"text":"reasons for judgment and concluded that Plaintiff had not carried her","paragraph_id":"para_89"},{"text":"burden of showing any violations of double billing or Defendant’s failure to","paragraph_id":"para_90"},{"text":"participate in discount billing for medical treatment. Plaintiff had instructed","paragraph_id":"para_91"},{"text":"Defendant to bill State Farm as the tortfeasor’s insurer, and he did so. The","paragraph_id":"para_92"},{"text":"trial court found that despite Plaintiff’s claim that she had provided a copy","paragraph_id":"para_93"},{"text":"of her insurance card from BCBS to Defendant, he proved he did not know","paragraph_id":"para_94"},{"text":"about the BCBS coverage until September 3, 2020, and, thus, could not be","paragraph_id":"para_95"},{"text":"responsible to Plaintiff for the amount she was billed. The trial court found","paragraph_id":"para_96"},{"text":"that Defendant did not commit fraud or violate any unfair trade practices,","paragraph_id":"para_97"},{"text":"and there was no violation of either the BBA or the LUTPA. Judgment was","paragraph_id":"para_98"},{"text":"signed on April 11, 2025, with the trial court ruling in favor of Defendant","paragraph_id":"para_99"},{"text":"and against Plaintiff and dismissing her suit with prejudice.","paragraph_id":"para_100"},{"text":"This appeal followed.","paragraph_id":"para_101"},{"text":"DISCUSSION","paragraph_id":"para_102"},{"text":"Plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in failing to find Defendant","paragraph_id":"para_103"},{"text":"violated the BBA and dismissing the suit with prejudice. She also argues","paragraph_id":"para_104"},{"text":"that the BBA does not allow a qualified health care provider to charge a","paragraph_id":"para_105"},{"text":"4","paragraph_id":"para_106"},{"text":"patient an amount greater than the contractually agreed-upon amount. She","paragraph_id":"para_107","court_paragraph":4},{"text":"contends that by charging State Farm 100 percent of the costs of the","paragraph_id":"para_108"},{"text":"service, Defendant violated the BBA and the LUTPA. For that reason,","paragraph_id":"para_109"},{"text":"Plaintiff claims the trial court erred in not awarding damages and attorney","paragraph_id":"para_110"},{"text":"fees for Defendant’s alleged violations and in not awarding treble damages","paragraph_id":"para_111"},{"text":"provided for in the BBA and the LUTPA.","paragraph_id":"para_112"},{"text":"Defendant argues that the trial court correctly found that there were","paragraph_id":"para_113"},{"text":"no violations of the BBA or the LUTPA. He contends that the BBA only","paragraph_id":"para_114"},{"text":"applies to contracted providers billing health insurers, and when he became","paragraph_id":"para_115"},{"text":"aware of United Healthcare’s coverage, he billed them at the contracted","paragraph_id":"para_116"},{"text":"rate. Further, when Plaintiff informed him of the State Farm coverage","paragraph_id":"para_117"},{"text":"under the tortfeasor’s insurance liability policy, he began charging that","paragraph_id":"para_118"},{"text":"insurance company, and it agreed to cover her medical bills. He asserts that","paragraph_id":"para_119"},{"text":"the BBA does not apply because State Farm is not a “health insurance","paragraph_id":"para_120"},{"text":"issuer” under the Act.","paragraph_id":"para_121"},{"text":"Defendant also argues that the BBA does not apply to the amount","paragraph_id":"para_122"},{"text":"which could have been billed to BCBS because the trial court found that","paragraph_id":"para_123"},{"text":"Defendant did not learn of that coverage until September 3, 2020, months","paragraph_id":"para_124"},{"text":"after treatment ended and bills had been submitted to State Farm and","paragraph_id":"para_125"},{"text":"settled.","paragraph_id":"para_126"},{"text":"Defendant further argues that the trial court also correctly found there","paragraph_id":"para_127"},{"text":"was no violation of the LUTPA. He notes that he charged State Farm at the","paragraph_id":"para_128"},{"text":"appropriate rate and that his bill was paid by it from the settlement of","paragraph_id":"para_129"},{"text":"Plaintiff’s tort suit. He submitted his bill for the total amount owed of","paragraph_id":"para_130"},{"text":"$7,585, and Defendant’s attorney only paid a portion of that amount. He","paragraph_id":"para_131"},{"text":"5","paragraph_id":"para_132"},{"text":"points out that he never double billed Plaintiff or sought compensation to","paragraph_id":"para_133","court_paragraph":5},{"text":"which he was not entitled.","paragraph_id":"para_134"},{"text":"The BBA, La. R.S. 22:1871, et seq., prohibits a contracted healthcare","paragraph_id":"para_135"},{"text":"provider from collecting or attempting to collect amounts from an insured","paragraph_id":"para_136"},{"text":"patient in excess of the contracted reimbursement rate. DePhillips v. Hosp.","paragraph_id":"para_137"},{"text":"Serv. Dist. No. 1 of Tangipahoa Par., 19-01496 (La. 7/9/20), 340 So. 3d","paragraph_id":"para_138"},{"text":"817. La. R.S. 22:1874, titled “Billing by contracted health care providers,”","paragraph_id":"para_139"},{"text":"states in pertinent part as follows:","paragraph_id":"para_140"},{"text":"A. (1) A contracted health care provider shall be prohibited","paragraph_id":"para_141"},{"text":"from discount billing, dual billing, attempting to collect from,","paragraph_id":"para_142"},{"text":"or collecting from an enrollee or insured a health insurance","paragraph_id":"para_143"},{"text":"issuer liability or any amount in excess of the contracted","paragraph_id":"para_144"},{"text":"reimbursement rate for covered health care services.","paragraph_id":"para_145"},{"text":"(2) No contracted health care provider shall bill, attempt to","paragraph_id":"para_146"},{"text":"collect from, or collect from an enrollee or insured any","paragraph_id":"para_147"},{"text":"amounts other than those representing coinsurance,","paragraph_id":"para_148"},{"text":"copayments, deductibles, noncovered or noncontracted health","paragraph_id":"para_149"},{"text":"care services, or other amounts identified by the health","paragraph_id":"para_150"},{"text":"insurance issuer on an explanation of benefits as an amount for","paragraph_id":"para_151"},{"text":"which the enrollee or insured is liable.","paragraph_id":"para_152"},{"text":"(3) However, in the event that any billing, attempt to collect","paragraph_id":"para_153"},{"text":"from, or the collection from an enrollee or insured of any","paragraph_id":"para_154"},{"text":"amount other than those representing copayment, deductible,","paragraph_id":"para_155"},{"text":"coinsurance, payment for noncovered or noncontracted health","paragraph_id":"para_156"},{"text":"care services, or other amounts identified by the health","paragraph_id":"para_157"},{"text":"insurance issuer as the liability of the enrollee or insured is","paragraph_id":"para_158"},{"text":"based on information received from a health insurance issuer,","paragraph_id":"para_159"},{"text":"the contracted health care provider shall not be in violation of","paragraph_id":"para_160"},{"text":"this Subpart.","paragraph_id":"para_161"},{"text":"La. R.S. 22:1872 contains the definitions relevant to the BBA as","paragraph_id":"para_162"},{"text":"follows:","paragraph_id":"para_163"},{"text":"(9) “Discount billing” means any written or electronic","paragraph_id":"para_164"},{"text":"communication issued by a contracted health care provider that","paragraph_id":"para_165"},{"text":"appears to attempt to collect from an enrollee or insured an","paragraph_id":"para_166"},{"text":"amount in excess of the contracted reimbursement rate for","paragraph_id":"para_167"},{"text":"covered services.","paragraph_id":"para_168"},{"text":"(10) “Dual billing” means any written or electronic","paragraph_id":"para_169"},{"text":"communication issued by a contracted health care provider that","paragraph_id":"para_170"},{"text":"6","paragraph_id":"para_171"},{"text":"sets forth any amount owed by an enrollee or insured that is a","paragraph_id":"para_172","court_paragraph":6},{"text":"health insurance issuer liability.","paragraph_id":"para_173"},{"text":"***","paragraph_id":"para_174"},{"text":"(18) “Health insurance coverage” means benefits consisting of","paragraph_id":"para_175"},{"text":"medical care provided or arranged for directly, through","paragraph_id":"para_176"},{"text":"insurance or reimbursement, or otherwise, and includes health","paragraph_id":"para_177"},{"text":"care services paid for under any plan, policy, or certificate of","paragraph_id":"para_178"},{"text":"insurance.","paragraph_id":"para_179"},{"text":"(19) “Health insurance issuer” means any entity that offers","paragraph_id":"para_180"},{"text":"health insurance coverage through a policy or certificate of","paragraph_id":"para_181"},{"text":"insurance subject to state law that regulates the business of","paragraph_id":"para_182"},{"text":"insurance.","paragraph_id":"para_183"},{"text":"A court of appeal may not set aside a trial court’s or a jury’s finding of","paragraph_id":"para_184"},{"text":"fact in the absence of “manifest error” or unless it is “clearly wrong.” Rosell","paragraph_id":"para_185"},{"text":"v. ESCO, 549 So. 2d 840 (La. 1989). The issue to be resolved by a","paragraph_id":"para_186"},{"text":"reviewing court is not whether the trier of fact was right or wrong, but","paragraph_id":"para_187"},{"text":"whether the fact finder’s conclusion was a reasonable one. Stobart v. State","paragraph_id":"para_188"},{"text":"through Dep’t of Transp. & Dev., 617 So. 2d 880 (La. 1993).","paragraph_id":"para_189"},{"text":"La. R.S. 51:1405, LUTPA, is titled “Unfair acts or practices;","paragraph_id":"para_190"},{"text":"interpretation and rulemaking authority,” and it states as follows:","paragraph_id":"para_191"},{"text":"A. Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or","paragraph_id":"para_192"},{"text":"practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce are hereby","paragraph_id":"para_193"},{"text":"declared unlawful.","paragraph_id":"para_194"},{"text":"B. The attorney general may make rules and regulations","paragraph_id":"para_195"},{"text":"interpreting the provisions of this Chapter consistent with the","paragraph_id":"para_196"},{"text":"provisions in R.S. 51:1 through 461.1. Such rules and regulations","paragraph_id":"para_197"},{"text":"shall be adopted in the form and manner prescribed by the","paragraph_id":"para_198"},{"text":"Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq. The validity or","paragraph_id":"para_199"},{"text":"applicability of a rule may be determined in an action for","paragraph_id":"para_200"},{"text":"declaratory judgment in the district court of the parish in which","paragraph_id":"para_201"},{"text":"the division is located or in the parish in which the plaintiff","paragraph_id":"para_202"},{"text":"resides or is domiciled. Appeals may be had from any ruling of a","paragraph_id":"para_203"},{"text":"district court in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure,","paragraph_id":"para_204"},{"text":"except that such appeals shall be given preference and heard in","paragraph_id":"para_205"},{"text":"priority to other appeals.","paragraph_id":"para_206"},{"text":"7","paragraph_id":"para_207"},{"text":"Acts constituting unfair or deceptive trade practices are not","paragraph_id":"para_208","court_paragraph":7},{"text":"specifically defined in the LUTPA but are determined by the courts on a case-","paragraph_id":"para_209"},{"text":"by-case basis. Cupp Drug Store, Inc. v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of","paragraph_id":"para_210"},{"text":"Louisiana, Inc., 49,482 (La. App. 2 Cir. 1/7/15), 161 So. 3d 860, writ denied,","paragraph_id":"para_211"},{"text":"15-0571 (La. 5/22/15), 171 So. 3d 249. In general, acts which comprise unfair","paragraph_id":"para_212"},{"text":"trade practices involve fraud, deception, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary","paragraph_id":"para_213"},{"text":"duty or other unethical conduct. Id. The span of prohibited practices under","paragraph_id":"para_214"},{"text":"the LUTPA is extremely narrow. Id. To succeed on a LUTPA claim, the","paragraph_id":"para_215"},{"text":"plaintiff must show that the alleged conduct offends established public policy","paragraph_id":"para_216"},{"text":"and is immoral, unethical, oppressive, unscrupulous or substantially injurious.","paragraph_id":"para_217"},{"text":"Id.","paragraph_id":"para_218"},{"text":"Whether a defendant has violated the LUTPA is a factual","paragraph_id":"para_219"},{"text":"determination. Walker v. Hixson Autoplex of Monroe, L.L.C., 51,758 (La. App.","paragraph_id":"para_220"},{"text":"2 Cir. 11/29/17), 245 So. 3d 1088, citing Cupp, supra. An appellate court may","paragraph_id":"para_221"},{"text":"not set aside a trial court’s finding of fact in the absence of manifest error or","paragraph_id":"para_222"},{"text":"unless it is clearly wrong. Id. Where there is more than one allowable view of","paragraph_id":"para_223"},{"text":"the evidence, the fact finder’s choice among them cannot be manifestly","paragraph_id":"para_224"},{"text":"erroneous or clearly wrong. Id. Even though an appellate court may feel its","paragraph_id":"para_225"},{"text":"own evaluations and inferences are more reasonable than the fact finder’s,","paragraph_id":"para_226"},{"text":"reasonable evaluations of credibility and reasonable inferences of fact should","paragraph_id":"para_227"},{"text":"not be disturbed upon review where conflict exists in the testimony. Id., citing","paragraph_id":"para_228"},{"text":"Cole v. Department of Public Safety & Corrections, 01-2123 (La. 9/4/02),","paragraph_id":"para_229"},{"text":"825 So. 2d 1134.","paragraph_id":"para_230"},{"text":"The evidence shows Defendant never attempted to double bill any","paragraph_id":"para_231"},{"text":"insurance provider. Plaintiff’s attorney was aware that Defendant was billing","paragraph_id":"para_232"},{"text":"State Farm and that the total amount was $7,585. When the case was settled,","paragraph_id":"para_233"},{"text":"8","paragraph_id":"para_234"},{"text":"Defendant immediately notified the attorney that the initial payment of $5,365","paragraph_id":"para_235","court_paragraph":8},{"text":"was insufficient for the chiropractic services rendered and that $2,220 more","paragraph_id":"para_236"},{"text":"should have been paid out of the settlement. We find no manifest error in the","paragraph_id":"para_237"},{"text":"ruling of the trial court. The assignments of error are without merit.","paragraph_id":"para_238"},{"text":"CONCLUSION","paragraph_id":"para_239"},{"text":"For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court dismissing","paragraph_id":"para_240"},{"text":"Plaintiff Kimberly Pearson Ruby’s suit against Defendant Lyndon Bain","paragraph_id":"para_241"},{"text":"Carpenter is affirmed. 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