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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","para_244","para_245","para_246","para_247","para_248","para_249","para_250","para_251","para_252","para_253","para_254","para_255","para_256","para_257","para_258","para_259","para_260","para_261","para_262","para_263","para_264","para_265","para_266","para_267","para_268","para_269","para_270","para_271","para_272","para_273","para_274","para_275","para_276","para_277","para_278","para_279","para_280","para_281","para_282","para_283","para_284","para_285","para_286","para_287","para_288","para_289","para_290","para_291","para_292","para_293","para_294","para_295","para_296","para_297","para_298","para_299","para_300","para_301","para_302","para_303","para_304","para_305","para_306","para_307","para_308","para_309","para_310","para_311","para_312","para_313","para_314","para_315","para_316","para_317","para_318","para_319","para_320","para_321","para_322","para_323","para_324","para_325","para_326","para_327","para_328","para_329","para_330","para_331","para_332","para_333","para_334","para_335","para_336","para_337","para_338","para_339","para_340","para_341","para_342","para_343","para_344","para_345","para_346","para_347","para_348","para_349","para_350","para_351"],"kind":"front_matter"}],"paragraphs":[{"text":"[Cite as Arndts v. Univ. of Cinti Med. Ctr., 2026-Ohio-3093.]","paragraph_id":"para_1"},{"text":"IN THE COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_2"},{"text":"FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO","paragraph_id":"para_3"},{"text":"HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO","paragraph_id":"para_4"},{"text":"SHA-ANN ARNDTS,","paragraph_id":"para_5"},{"text":"Plaintiff-Appellant,","paragraph_id":"para_6"},{"text":"vs.","paragraph_id":"para_7"},{"text":"UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI","paragraph_id":"para_8"},{"text":"MEDICAL CENTER,","paragraph_id":"para_9"},{"text":"Defendant-Appellee.","paragraph_id":"para_10"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_11"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_12"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_13"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_14"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_15"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_16"},{"text":"APPEAL NO. C-250687","paragraph_id":"para_17"},{"text":"TRIAL NO. A-2503184","paragraph_id":"para_18"},{"text":"JUDGMENT ENTRY","paragraph_id":"para_19"},{"text":"This cause was heard upon the appeal, the record, and the briefs.","paragraph_id":"para_20"},{"text":"For the reasons set forth in the Opinion filed this date, the judgment of the trial","paragraph_id":"para_21"},{"text":"court is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the cause is remanded.","paragraph_id":"para_22"},{"text":"Further, the court holds that there were reasonable grounds for this appeal,","paragraph_id":"para_23"},{"text":"allows no penalty, and orders that costs be taxed 50% to Appellant and 50% to","paragraph_id":"para_24"},{"text":"Appellee.","paragraph_id":"para_25"},{"text":"The court further orders that (1) a copy of this Judgment with a copy of the","paragraph_id":"para_26"},{"text":"Opinion attached constitutes the mandate, and (2) the mandate be sent to the trial","paragraph_id":"para_27"},{"text":"court for execution under App.R. 27.","paragraph_id":"para_28"},{"text":"To the clerk:","paragraph_id":"para_29"},{"text":"Enter upon the journal of the court on 8/12/2026.","paragraph_id":"para_30"},{"text":"Pursuant to App.R. 30, the clerk is directed to send all parties, or their","paragraph_id":"para_31"},{"text":"counsel if represented, a copy of the court’s judgment and note such action","paragraph_id":"para_32"},{"text":"on the docket.","paragraph_id":"para_33"},{"text":"By:_______________________","paragraph_id":"para_34"},{"text":"Administrative Judge","paragraph_id":"para_35"},{"text":"[Cite as Arndts v. Univ. of Cinti Med. Ctr., 2026-Ohio-3093.]","paragraph_id":"para_36"},{"text":"IN THE COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_37"},{"text":"FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO","paragraph_id":"para_38"},{"text":"HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO","paragraph_id":"para_39"},{"text":"SHA-ANN ARNDTS,","paragraph_id":"para_40"},{"text":"Plaintiff-Appellant,","paragraph_id":"para_41"},{"text":"vs.","paragraph_id":"para_42"},{"text":"UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI","paragraph_id":"para_43"},{"text":"MEDICAL CENTER,","paragraph_id":"para_44"},{"text":"Defendant-Appellee.","paragraph_id":"para_45"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_46"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_47"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_48"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_49"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_50"},{"text":":","paragraph_id":"para_51"},{"text":"APPEAL NO. C-250687","paragraph_id":"para_52"},{"text":"TRIAL NO. A-2503184","paragraph_id":"para_53"},{"text":"O P I N I O N","paragraph_id":"para_54"},{"text":"Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas","paragraph_id":"para_55"},{"text":"Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed in Part, Reversed in Part, and Cause Remanded","paragraph_id":"para_56"},{"text":"Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: August 12, 2026","paragraph_id":"para_57"},{"text":"Sha-Ann Arndts, pro se,","paragraph_id":"para_58"},{"text":"Calderhead, Lockemeyer & Peschke Law Office, Andrew B. Crane, and Bill Paliobeis,","paragraph_id":"para_59"},{"text":"for Defendant-Appellee.","paragraph_id":"para_60"},{"text":"[Cite as Arndts v. Univ. of Cinti Med. Ctr., 2026-Ohio-3093.]","paragraph_id":"para_61"},{"text":"KINSLEY, Presiding Judge.","paragraph_id":"para_62"},{"text":"{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant Sha-Ann Arndts appeals the judgment of the","paragraph_id":"para_63"},{"text":"Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas granting defendant-appellee University of","paragraph_id":"para_64"},{"text":"Cincinnati Medical Center’s (“UC”) Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss her complaint.","paragraph_id":"para_65"},{"text":"We agree with the trial court that Arndts’s claims for defamation, fraud, tampering","paragraph_id":"para_66"},{"text":"with records, fraudulent billing, and failing to report abuse should be dismissed","paragraph_id":"para_67"},{"text":"pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6) because they fail to state claims upon which relief can be","paragraph_id":"para_68"},{"text":"granted. But, as we explain in this opinion, we hold that Arndts’s claim for a violation","paragraph_id":"para_69"},{"text":"of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”)","paragraph_id":"para_70"},{"text":"plausibly states a claim for the release of private medical information under the state","paragraph_id":"para_71"},{"text":"statute codifying HIPAA. We accordingly affirm the trial court’s judgment in part,","paragraph_id":"para_72"},{"text":"reverse it in part, and remand the cause to the trial court for further proceedings.","paragraph_id":"para_73"},{"text":"Background","paragraph_id":"para_74"},{"text":"{¶2} On June 30, 2025, Arndts sued UC for defamation, fraud, tampering","paragraph_id":"para_75"},{"text":"with records, fraudulent billing, tampering with evidence, and failure to report abuse.","paragraph_id":"para_76"},{"text":"Her complaint alleged that the fraud began in July of 2021, when she underwent","paragraph_id":"para_77"},{"text":"surgery at UC, but that she did not discover it until December 2024.","paragraph_id":"para_78"},{"text":"{¶3} UC moved to dismiss Arndts’s complaint pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6).","paragraph_id":"para_79"},{"text":"Its motion to dismiss alleged that because Arndts’s claims arose from her July 2021","paragraph_id":"para_80"},{"text":"surgery, they were time-barred by the four-year statute of limitations applicable to","paragraph_id":"para_81"},{"text":"medical claims. UC also argued that Arndts’s complaint was barred by res judicata, as","paragraph_id":"para_82"},{"text":"Arndts previously unsuccessfully sued UC for claims arising from her July 2021","paragraph_id":"para_83"},{"text":"hospitalization.","paragraph_id":"para_84"},{"text":"{¶4} On September 9, 2025, before the trial court ruled on UC’s motion to","paragraph_id":"para_85"},{"text":"dismiss, Arndts filed an amended complaint which omitted any reference to her July","paragraph_id":"para_86"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_87"},{"text":"4","paragraph_id":"para_88"},{"text":"2021 hospitalization. Arndts’s amended complaint asserted the same defamation,","paragraph_id":"para_89","court_paragraph":4},{"text":"fraud, tampering with records, and failure to report abuse claims she raised in her","paragraph_id":"para_90"},{"text":"initial complaint. But it omitted the tampering with evidence claim and added a cause","paragraph_id":"para_91"},{"text":"of action for alleged violations of HIPAA and R.C. Ch. 3798.","paragraph_id":"para_92"},{"text":"{¶5} UC again moved to dismiss Arndts’s complaint pursuant to Civ.R.","paragraph_id":"para_93"},{"text":"12(B)(6). The trial court granted UC’s motion, finding, without further explanation,","paragraph_id":"para_94"},{"text":"that Arndts could prove no set of facts entitling her to relief.","paragraph_id":"para_95"},{"text":"{¶6} Arndts appealed.","paragraph_id":"para_96"},{"text":"Analysis","paragraph_id":"para_97"},{"text":"{¶7} Representing herself, Arndts raises eight assignments of error, which","paragraph_id":"para_98"},{"text":"are somewhat difficult to follow. In her first assignment of error, she argues that the","paragraph_id":"para_99"},{"text":"trial court, in general, erred in granting UC’s motion to dismiss, and she requests de","paragraph_id":"para_100"},{"text":"novo review of that decision. As best we can tell, her remaining assignments of error","paragraph_id":"para_101"},{"text":"raise specific issues related to the trial court’s decision to grant the motion to dismiss.","paragraph_id":"para_102"},{"text":"Because the trial court did not explain the basis for its decision, Arndts appears to","paragraph_id":"para_103"},{"text":"assume hypothetical reasons that could have justified the trial court’s judgment, based","paragraph_id":"para_104"},{"text":"on the briefing by UC below, and then to argue in her second through eighth","paragraph_id":"para_105"},{"text":"assignments of error why each of those reasons is incorrect. We analyze these","paragraph_id":"para_106"},{"text":"arguments as best we can given the confusing nature of some of Arndts’s briefing.","paragraph_id":"para_107"},{"text":"I. Civ.R. 12(B)(6)","paragraph_id":"para_108"},{"text":"{¶8} Arndts’s first assignment of error challenges the propriety of the trial","paragraph_id":"para_109"},{"text":"court’s judgment under Civ.R. 12(B)(6). “We review a trial court’s decision granting a","paragraph_id":"para_110"},{"text":"Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss de novo. . . . In reviewing such a motion, we must","paragraph_id":"para_111"},{"text":"accept all factual allegations in the complaint as true and draw all reasonable","paragraph_id":"para_112"},{"text":"inferences in favor of the nonmoving party.” (Cleaned up.) Ilboudo v. Cincinnati","paragraph_id":"para_113"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_114"},{"text":"5","paragraph_id":"para_115"},{"text":"Metro. Hous. Auth., 2025-Ohio-1386, ¶ 7 (1st Dist.).","paragraph_id":"para_116","court_paragraph":5},{"text":"{¶9} “Civ.R. 12(B)(6) is procedural in character, intended to test the","paragraph_id":"para_117"},{"text":"sufficiency of the complaint and the materials incorporated into it.” (Cleaned up.)","paragraph_id":"para_118"},{"text":"Vandemark v. Reder, 2026-Ohio-50, ¶ 9 (1st Dist.). Relatedly, Civ.R. 8(A) requires a","paragraph_id":"para_119"},{"text":"complaint to “contain (1) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the","paragraph_id":"para_120"},{"text":"party is entitled to relief, and (2) a demand for judgment for the relief to which the","paragraph_id":"para_121"},{"text":"party claims to be entitled.” This is considered “notice pleading,” which aims to","paragraph_id":"para_122"},{"text":"provide fair notice of the claim with an opportunity for the adverse party to prepare a","paragraph_id":"para_123"},{"text":"response. Id. at ¶ 10. Because notice is the goal, trial courts will not dismiss a","paragraph_id":"para_124"},{"text":"complaint under Civ.R. 12(B)(6) “unless it appears beyond doubt from the complaint","paragraph_id":"para_125"},{"text":"that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts entitling him to recovery.” Thomas v.","paragraph_id":"para_126"},{"text":"Othman, 2017-Ohio-8449, ¶ 19 (1st Dist.).","paragraph_id":"para_127"},{"text":"{¶10} Under this standard, “the complaint should be examined to see if the","paragraph_id":"para_128"},{"text":"allegations provide for relief under any viable legal theory.” Estate of Ridley v.","paragraph_id":"para_129"},{"text":"Hamilton Cty. Bd. of Mental Retardation & Dev. Disabilities, 2002-Ohio-6344, ¶ 12.","paragraph_id":"para_130"},{"text":"In doing so, the court must focus its inquiry on the four corners of the complaint and","paragraph_id":"para_131"},{"text":"may not rely on evidence outside the complaint. Zalvin v. Ayers, 2020-Ohio-4021, ¶","paragraph_id":"para_132"},{"text":"13 (1st Dist.).","paragraph_id":"para_133"},{"text":"A. Defamation","paragraph_id":"para_134"},{"text":"{¶11} We first apply these standards to Arndts’s claim for defamation. To","paragraph_id":"para_135"},{"text":"establish a viable claim for defamation, Arndts was required to plead and prove that","paragraph_id":"para_136"},{"text":"(1) a false and defamatory statement, (2) about her, (3) was published by UC without","paragraph_id":"para_137"},{"text":"privilege to a third party, (4) with fault or at least negligence on UC’s part, (5) that was","paragraph_id":"para_138"},{"text":"either defamatory per se or caused special harm to her. Martin v. Wegman, 2019-","paragraph_id":"para_139"},{"text":"Ohio-2935, ¶ 9 (1st Dist.).","paragraph_id":"para_140"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_141"},{"text":"6","paragraph_id":"para_142"},{"text":"{¶12} Defamation may either be defamatory per quod, meaning that it is","paragraph_id":"para_143","court_paragraph":6},{"text":"interpreted by the listener to be defamatory, or defamatory per se, meaning that the","paragraph_id":"para_144"},{"text":"statement on its face is defamatory. Olthaus v. Niesen, 2023-Ohio-4710, ¶ 12 (1st","paragraph_id":"para_145"},{"text":"Dist.). If the statement is defamatory per quod, the plaintiff must plead and prove","paragraph_id":"para_146"},{"text":"special damages, although no such requirement exists for defamation per se. Martin","paragraph_id":"para_147"},{"text":"at ¶ 10. Special damages are those direct financial losses, including lost profits from a","paragraph_id":"para_148"},{"text":"business endeavor, that result from the plaintiff’s impaired reputation following a","paragraph_id":"para_149"},{"text":"defamatory statement. Id. at ¶ 15.","paragraph_id":"para_150"},{"text":"{¶13} Arndts’s amended complaint alleged that UC falsely claimed that she","paragraph_id":"para_151"},{"text":"suffered from mental illness and addiction in statements to medical providers, police,","paragraph_id":"para_152"},{"text":"individuals, and insurance companies and that it lacked privilege to do so. Arndts also","paragraph_id":"para_153"},{"text":"claimed that UC acted with knowledge that its statements were false or with reckless","paragraph_id":"para_154"},{"text":"disregard for their truth. These allegations established the basic elements of","paragraph_id":"para_155"},{"text":"defamation. Id. at ¶ 9. But Arndts did not allege special damages. See Dudee v.","paragraph_id":"para_156"},{"text":"Philpot, 2019-Ohio-3939, ¶ 73 (1st Dist.) (holding that plaintiff’s allegations of","paragraph_id":"para_157"},{"text":"“humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, mental anguish, emotional distress, and","paragraph_id":"para_158"},{"text":"damage to his reputation and career” were insufficient to claim the pecuniary harm","paragraph_id":"para_159"},{"text":"required to establish special damages). We must therefore consider whether Arndts’s","paragraph_id":"para_160"},{"text":"allegations raised a claim for defamation per se or for defamation per quod.","paragraph_id":"para_161"},{"text":"{¶14} To constitute defamation per se, the communication must consist of","paragraph_id":"para_162"},{"text":"words that (1) impute a charge of an indictable offense involving moral turpitude or","paragraph_id":"para_163"},{"text":"infamous punishment, (2) impute an offensive or contagious disease intended to","paragraph_id":"para_164"},{"text":"exclude one from society, or (3) tend to injure one in his trade or occupation. Id. at ¶","paragraph_id":"para_165"},{"text":"13. Neither of UC’s alleged statements—that Arndts suffered from mental illness and","paragraph_id":"para_166"},{"text":"addiction—rise to this level.","paragraph_id":"para_167"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_168"},{"text":"7","paragraph_id":"para_169"},{"text":"{¶15} UC’s alleged statement about addiction is similar to the defendant’s","paragraph_id":"para_170","court_paragraph":7},{"text":"statement in King v. Barger, 88 Ohio App.3d 564, 568 (2d Dist. 1993). There, King","paragraph_id":"para_171"},{"text":"argued that the defendant’s statement that she participated in a drug rehabilitation","paragraph_id":"para_172"},{"text":"program constituted defamation per se because it was “tantamount to an allegation","paragraph_id":"para_173"},{"text":"that [she] had engaged in a criminal offense involving moral turpitude or infamous","paragraph_id":"para_174"},{"text":"punishment.” Id. The court rejected that argument, holding instead that the","paragraph_id":"para_175"},{"text":"statement “could have been considered defamatory only by inference or inuendo.” Id.","paragraph_id":"para_176"},{"text":"As the court observed, “a person can participate in a drug rehabilitation program","paragraph_id":"para_177"},{"text":"without having used illicit drugs.” Id.","paragraph_id":"para_178"},{"text":"{¶16} Like King, UC’s alleged statement that Arndts suffered from addiction","paragraph_id":"para_179"},{"text":"did not on its face suggest that Arndts had engaged in a crime of moral turpitude.","paragraph_id":"para_180"},{"text":"Rather, the statement could only be classified as defamatory through interpretation.","paragraph_id":"para_181"},{"text":"Martin, 2019-Ohio-2935, at ¶ 10 (1st Dist.). Arndts therefore alleged, at most,","paragraph_id":"para_182"},{"text":"defamation per quod based on the statement that she suffered from addiction.","paragraph_id":"para_183"},{"text":"{¶17} This was also the case for UC’s alleged statement that Arndts’s suffered","paragraph_id":"para_184"},{"text":"from mental illness. Mental illness is neither a crime nor “an offensive or contagious","paragraph_id":"para_185"},{"text":"disease.” Id. at ¶ 13. Rather, it is simply a health-related and relatively common","paragraph_id":"para_186"},{"text":"diagnosis. This statement too constituted defamation per quod.","paragraph_id":"para_187"},{"text":"{¶18} Arndts contended in her amended complaint that UC’s alleged","paragraph_id":"para_188"},{"text":"statements had “devastating effects” on her career. A statement’s tendency to injure","paragraph_id":"para_189"},{"text":"the plaintiff in her trade or occupation can be a basis for finding a statement","paragraph_id":"para_190"},{"text":"defamatory per se. Martin, 2019-Ohio-2935, at ¶ 13 (1st Dist.). However, Arndts did","paragraph_id":"para_191"},{"text":"not provide any facts to support her assertion, such as the nature of her employment","paragraph_id":"para_192"},{"text":"or how these statements affected it. “Mere unsupported conclusions regarding the","paragraph_id":"para_193"},{"text":"elements of a claim are not taken as admitted and are insufficient to withstand a","paragraph_id":"para_194"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_195"},{"text":"8","paragraph_id":"para_196"},{"text":"motion to dismiss without sufficient factual support.” Olthaus, 2023-Ohio-4710, at ¶","paragraph_id":"para_197","court_paragraph":8},{"text":"8 (1st Dist.). Thus, the amended complaint did not allege facts that support a finding","paragraph_id":"para_198"},{"text":"that the alleged statements tended to injure Arndts in her trade or profession.","paragraph_id":"para_199"},{"text":"{¶19} Given all of this, Arndts was required to plead special damages, which","paragraph_id":"para_200"},{"text":"she failed to do. The trial court therefore correctly dismissed Arndts’s defamation","paragraph_id":"para_201"},{"text":"claim.","paragraph_id":"para_202"},{"text":"B. R.C. 2307.60 Fraud Claims","paragraph_id":"para_203"},{"text":"{¶20} In addition to defamation, Arndts sued UC for fraud, tampering with","paragraph_id":"para_204"},{"text":"records, and fraudulent billing. As to the fraud and tampering with records claims,","paragraph_id":"para_205"},{"text":"Arndts specifically raised them pursuant to R.C. 2307.60(A)(1), which creates an","paragraph_id":"para_206"},{"text":"independent civil cause of action for “anyone injured in person or property by a","paragraph_id":"para_207"},{"text":"criminal act.” Arndts did not explicitly plead her fraudulent billing claim this way, but","paragraph_id":"para_208"},{"text":"R.C. 2307.60 appears to be the only vehicle through which she could have asserted","paragraph_id":"para_209"},{"text":"that claim, as there exists no stand-alone civil claim for fraudulent billing.","paragraph_id":"para_210"},{"text":"{¶21} To succeed in a claim under R.C. 2307.60, a plaintiff “must provide","paragraph_id":"para_211"},{"text":"evidence on each element of the underlying criminal act and the plaintiff’s damages","paragraph_id":"para_212"},{"text":"resulting from that act.” Gentry v. Silver Linings Agency, 2024-Ohio-5503, ¶ 24 (1st","paragraph_id":"para_213"},{"text":"Dist.). The plaintiff is not required to prove that the defendant was convicted of a","paragraph_id":"para_214"},{"text":"crime. Buddenbert v. Weisdack, 2020-Ohio-3832, ¶ 11.","paragraph_id":"para_215"},{"text":"{¶22} Where a claim brought under R.C. 2307.60 also alleges fraud, it must","paragraph_id":"para_216"},{"text":"satisfy Civ.R. 9(B)’s heightened pleading standard. Vandemark, 2026-Ohio-50, at ¶","paragraph_id":"para_217"},{"text":"11 (1st Dist.). Civ.R. 9(B) mandates that “[i]n all averments of fraud of mistake, the","paragraph_id":"para_218"},{"text":"circumstances constituting fraud or mistake shall be stated with particularity.” “To","paragraph_id":"para_219"},{"text":"satisfy this requirement, a plaintiff should plead the time, place, and content of the","paragraph_id":"para_220"},{"text":"false representation, the fact misrepresented, and the nature of what was obtained or","paragraph_id":"para_221"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_222"},{"text":"9","paragraph_id":"para_223"},{"text":"given as a consequence of the fraud along with the identity of the alleged fraudster.”","paragraph_id":"para_224","court_paragraph":9},{"text":"(Cleaned up.) White v. Pitman, 2020-Ohio-3957, ¶ 19 (1st Dist.).","paragraph_id":"para_225"},{"text":"{¶23} None of Arndts’s three claims premised on fraud accomplished these","paragraph_id":"para_226"},{"text":"requirements. Her fraud claim lacked information about the timing of the alleged","paragraph_id":"para_227"},{"text":"fraud, as well as what was allegedly obtained as a result. Her tampering with records","paragraph_id":"para_228"},{"text":"claim lacked an allegation that UC acted with the purpose to defraud, which was a","paragraph_id":"para_229"},{"text":"required element. See id. Her fraudulent billing claim lacked similar details.","paragraph_id":"para_230"},{"text":"{¶24} Because Arndts failed to plead her three fraud-related claims with","paragraph_id":"para_231"},{"text":"particularity as required by Civ.R. 9(B), the trial court correctly dismissed them under","paragraph_id":"para_232"},{"text":"Civ.R. 12(B)(6).","paragraph_id":"para_233"},{"text":"C. Failure to Report Abuse","paragraph_id":"para_234"},{"text":"{¶25} Arndts further sued UC for failure to report abuse under R.C.","paragraph_id":"para_235"},{"text":"5101.63(A)(1) and (2). That statute requires doctors, nurses, and hospital employees","paragraph_id":"para_236"},{"text":"who have formed a reasonable belief that an adult is being abused to immediately","paragraph_id":"para_237"},{"text":"report the suspected abuse to the county department of job and family services. But it","paragraph_id":"para_238"},{"text":"does not appear to independently create a civil cause of action on the part of an","paragraph_id":"para_239"},{"text":"allegedly abused adult when a medical professional fails to report.","paragraph_id":"para_240"},{"text":"{¶26} Arndts cites no authority, nor can we find any, that suggests that an","paragraph_id":"para_241"},{"text":"allegedly abused adult may sue a health care provider under R.C. 5101.63. In the","paragraph_id":"para_242"},{"text":"absence of such authority, the trial court did not err in dismissing Arndts’s R.C.","paragraph_id":"para_243"},{"text":"5101.63 claim for failing to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.","paragraph_id":"para_244"},{"text":"D. HIPAA and R.C. Ch. 3798","paragraph_id":"para_245"},{"text":"{¶27} Arndts’s final claim against UC was for violating HIPAA and its state law","paragraph_id":"para_246"},{"text":"corollary, R.C. Ch. 3798. These claims rested on Arndts’s allegation that UC disclosed","paragraph_id":"para_247"},{"text":"her private medical information to third parties without her consent and not for the","paragraph_id":"para_248"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_249"},{"text":"10","paragraph_id":"para_250"},{"text":"purpose of reporting any crime or safety issues.","paragraph_id":"para_251","court_paragraph":10},{"text":"{¶28} Regarding Arndts’s HIPAA claim, “it is well-settled that a HIPAA","paragraph_id":"para_252"},{"text":"violation does not create a private cause of action for the party whose information has","paragraph_id":"para_253"},{"text":"been released.” Menorah Park Ctr. for Senior Living v. Rolston, 2020-Ohio-6658, ¶","paragraph_id":"para_254"},{"text":"36. Thus, the trial court properly dismissed Arndts’s cause of action to the extent it","paragraph_id":"para_255"},{"text":"relied upon HIPAA.","paragraph_id":"para_256"},{"text":"{¶29} Ohio law, however, recognizes “an independent tort exists for the","paragraph_id":"para_257"},{"text":"unauthorized, unprivileged disclosure to a third party of nonpublic medical","paragraph_id":"para_258"},{"text":"information that a physician or hospital has learned within a physician-patient","paragraph_id":"para_259"},{"text":"relationship.” Biddle v. Warren Gen. Hosp., 86 Ohio St.3d 395, 401 (1999). And","paragraph_id":"para_260"},{"text":"HIPAA does not preclude a patient from bringing a state-law cause of action for a","paragraph_id":"para_261"},{"text":"breach of confidentiality. Menorah Park Ctr. for Senior Living at ¶ 30.","paragraph_id":"para_262"},{"text":"{¶30} Arndts did not specifically assert a cause of action for breach of","paragraph_id":"para_263"},{"text":"confidentiality under Biddle. Nonetheless, “[i]f the facts set forth in the complaint","paragraph_id":"para_264"},{"text":"entitle appellant to relief, it is wholly immaterial by what name the action is called.”","paragraph_id":"para_265"},{"text":"Biddle at 400. We therefore consider whether Arndts’s amended complaint pleaded a","paragraph_id":"para_266"},{"text":"state-law claim for the unauthorized release of nonpublic information to a third party","paragraph_id":"para_267"},{"text":"that UC learned in the context of its doctor-patient relationship with her.","paragraph_id":"para_268"},{"text":"{¶31} In relevant part, paragraph 44 of Arndts’s amended complaint alleged:","paragraph_id":"para_269"},{"text":"Defendant violated federal HIPPA law and ORC 3798 by freely giving","paragraph_id":"para_270"},{"text":"both false medical information and medical information to third","paragraph_id":"para_271"},{"text":"parties. Upon the research and disclosure of records from other sources","paragraph_id":"para_272"},{"text":"in February of 2025 it was made clear that the Defendant freely shared","paragraph_id":"para_273"},{"text":"medical information both false information and medical information","paragraph_id":"para_274"},{"text":"without any consent of the Plaintiff and directly against her refusal to","paragraph_id":"para_275"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_276"},{"text":"11","paragraph_id":"para_277"},{"text":"sign to even give them permission to share her medical information with","paragraph_id":"para_278","court_paragraph":11},{"text":"other medical facilities. The Defendant shared the information with","paragraph_id":"para_279"},{"text":"other medical facilities, campus employees not medical employees,","paragraph_id":"para_280"},{"text":"police. This medical information shared was not shared for purposes of","paragraph_id":"para_281"},{"text":"reporting any crimes or upon any reporting of safety issues on behalf of","paragraph_id":"para_282"},{"text":"the Defendant. This sharing was not related to any formal request of the","paragraph_id":"para_283"},{"text":"third parties but was offered by Defendant’s employees as false","paragraph_id":"para_284"},{"text":"rationing for their behaviors. This clearly violates both the federal and","paragraph_id":"para_285"},{"text":"state laws regarding privacy in medical records and any medical","paragraph_id":"para_286"},{"text":"information of a patient.","paragraph_id":"para_287"},{"text":"{¶32} Although sparse, these allegations are sufficient to state a Biddle claim.","paragraph_id":"para_288"},{"text":"In this paragraph, Arndts alleged that UC—which she identified elsewhere in the","paragraph_id":"para_289"},{"text":"complaint as a medical provider—shared her medical information with third parties","paragraph_id":"para_290"},{"text":"without her consent. By citing R.C. Ch. 3798, Arndts also grounded her claim in state","paragraph_id":"para_291"},{"text":"law. She therefore pleaded a viable state-law claim for the unauthorized disclosure of","paragraph_id":"para_292"},{"text":"privileged medical records.","paragraph_id":"para_293"},{"text":"{¶33} Because notice is the goal of Ohio’s pleading rules, a complaint should","paragraph_id":"para_294"},{"text":"not be dismissed “unless it appears beyond doubt from the complaint that the plaintiff","paragraph_id":"para_295"},{"text":"can prove no set of facts entitling him to recovery.” Thomas, 2017-Ohio-8449, at ¶ 19","paragraph_id":"para_296"},{"text":"(1st Dist.). Based on Arndts’s pleading, it appears that she could prove a set of facts","paragraph_id":"para_297"},{"text":"that would entitle her to recover for a breach of confidentiality under Biddle.","paragraph_id":"para_298"},{"text":"{¶34} Accordingly, the trial court erred in dismissing this claim under Civ.R.","paragraph_id":"para_299"},{"text":"12(B)(6). We accordingly sustain Arndts’s first assignment of error as to her claim for","paragraph_id":"para_300"},{"text":"the unauthorized disclosure of medical records and overrule it in all other respects.","paragraph_id":"para_301"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_302"},{"text":"12","paragraph_id":"para_303"},{"text":"II. Res Judicata","paragraph_id":"para_304","court_paragraph":12},{"text":"{¶35} In her second assignment of error, Arndts argues that the trial court","paragraph_id":"para_305"},{"text":"erred in dismissing her complaint because her claims were not subject to res judicata.","paragraph_id":"para_306"},{"text":"Because we have determined that the trial court correctly dismissed Arndts’s","paragraph_id":"para_307"},{"text":"complaint as to her defamation, fraud-related, and failure to report abuse claims","paragraph_id":"para_308"},{"text":"under Civ.R. 12(B)(6), this assignment of error is moot as to those claims. Arndts","paragraph_id":"para_309"},{"text":"failed to state claims upon which relief could be granted, so any potential error by the","paragraph_id":"para_310"},{"text":"trial court in determining other reasons for dismissal is immaterial. However, because","paragraph_id":"para_311"},{"text":"Arndts’s unauthorized disclosure of medical records claim under Biddle survives","paragraph_id":"para_312"},{"text":"Civ.R. 12(B)(6), we consider whether the trial court could have dismissed it under the","paragraph_id":"para_313"},{"text":"doctrine of res judicata.","paragraph_id":"para_314"},{"text":"{¶36} “It is well-established that res judicata is not a proper basis for dismissal","paragraph_id":"para_315"},{"text":"under Civ.R. 12(B)(6).” Siniscalchi v. K Hovnanian Meadow Lakes, LLC, 2026-Ohio-","paragraph_id":"para_316"},{"text":"1777, ¶ 16 (8th Dist.). This is so because application of res judicata often involves","paragraph_id":"para_317"},{"text":"comparing the facts of the current case with the facts of the previous case, which","paragraph_id":"para_318"},{"text":"requires consideration of information outside the four corners of the complaint. Ora","paragraph_id":"para_319"},{"text":"v. Fitness Intern., LLC, 2021-Ohio-2824, ¶ 6 (1st Dist.). Since the court is precluded","paragraph_id":"para_320"},{"text":"from reviewing facts outside the complaint at the Civ.R. 12(B)(6) stage, it cannot","paragraph_id":"para_321"},{"text":"conduct a proper res judicata review. Id.","paragraph_id":"para_322"},{"text":"{¶37} UC raised res judicata as a basis for dismissal in its Civ.R. 12(B)(6)","paragraph_id":"para_323"},{"text":"motion below. But it is unclear from the trial court’s order whether it relied upon res","paragraph_id":"para_324"},{"text":"judicata in granting the motion given the trial court’s lack of analysis. To the extent","paragraph_id":"para_325"},{"text":"the trial court dismissed Arndts’s Biddle claim on the basis of res judicata, doing so","paragraph_id":"para_326"},{"text":"was in error.","paragraph_id":"para_327"},{"text":"{¶38} Accordingly, we sustain Arndts’s second assignment of error in part as","paragraph_id":"para_328"},{"text":"OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_329"},{"text":"13","paragraph_id":"para_330"},{"text":"it relates to her Biddle claim and dismiss the remainder as moot.","paragraph_id":"para_331","court_paragraph":13},{"text":"III. Remaining Assignments of Error","paragraph_id":"para_332"},{"text":"{¶39} Arndts’s third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth assignments of","paragraph_id":"para_333"},{"text":"error all raise arguments related to perceived errors in the trial court’s dismissal of her","paragraph_id":"para_334"},{"text":"complaint. Our disposition of her first and second assignments of error makes these","paragraph_id":"para_335"},{"text":"arguments moot. The trial court had a valid basis for dismissing all but Arndts’s Biddle","paragraph_id":"para_336"},{"text":"claim under Civ.R. 12(B)(6), rendering moot any other assignments of error directed","paragraph_id":"para_337"},{"text":"to the reasons for dismissal. We accordingly decline to address these arguments. And","paragraph_id":"para_338"},{"text":"we have sustained Arndts’s first assignment of error, which resurrects her Biddle","paragraph_id":"para_339"},{"text":"claim. Any other assignments of error directed to the validity of that claim are","paragraph_id":"para_340"},{"text":"therefore also moot, and we decline to address them.","paragraph_id":"para_341"},{"text":"Conclusion","paragraph_id":"para_342"},{"text":"{¶40} We sustain Arndts’s first and second assignments of error in part as to","paragraph_id":"para_343"},{"text":"her Biddle claim and overrule them in all other respects. The remainder of Arndts’s","paragraph_id":"para_344"},{"text":"assignments of error are moot. The trial court’s judgment dismissing Arndts’s","paragraph_id":"para_345"},{"text":"complaint is affirmed as to her claims for defamation, fraud, tampering with records,","paragraph_id":"para_346"},{"text":"fraudulent billing, and the failure to report abuse. 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