Opinion ID: 2601888
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The CPA

Text: ¶ 31 The final issue we consider in this case is whether BFOA has violated the CPA. On this issue, only BFOA has moved for summary judgment. Columbia argues that BFOA violated the CPA both by engaging in particular acts that were unfair or deceptive and by violating the corporate practice of medicine doctrine, the PSCA, and the antirebate statute. Having already determined that BFOA has not violated these statutes and this doctrine, we confine our analysis to whether, taking the facts in the light most favorable to Columbia, BFOA committed unfair or deceptive acts or practices. [7] We conclude that, if found credible, the facts alleged by Columbia would constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and, as a result, BFOA is not entitled to summary judgment on Columbia's CPA claim. ¶ 32 To establish a violation of the CPA, a private plaintiff must prove five elements: (1) an unfair or deceptive act or practice occurred, (2) the act or practice occurred in the conduct of trade or commerce, (3) the act or practice impacted the public interest, (4) the plaintiff suffered an injury to business or property, and (5) the plaintiff can demonstrate a causal link between the unfair or deceptive act or practice and the injury. Hangman Ridge Training Stables, Inc. v. Safeco Title Ins. Co., 105 Wash.2d 778, 784-93, 719 P.2d 531 (1986). The only element challenged by BFOA before this court is the first one. Whether an action constitutes an unfair or deceptive practice is a question of law. Leingang v. Pierce County Med. Bureau, Inc., 131 Wash.2d 133, 150, 930 P.2d 288 (1997). An act is deceptive if it has the capacity to deceive a substantial portion of the public. Hangman Ridge, 105 Wash.2d at 785, 719 P.2d 531. Even accurate information may be deceptive `if there is a representation, omission or practice that is likely to mislead' a reasonable consumer. Panag v. Farmers Ins. Co. of Wash., 166 Wash.2d 27, 50, 204 P.3d 885 (2009) (quoting Sw. Sunsites, Inc. v. Fed. Trade Comm'n, 785 F.2d 1431, 1435 (9th Cir.1986) (emphasis omitted)). ¶ 33 There is evidence in the record of two acts that Columbia claims are unfair or deceptive. The material facts of both are disputed, so we must view them in the light most favorable to Columbia. The first involves a BFOA physician telling a patient who had requested a referral to Columbia that the patient had to receive treatment from BFOA's physical therapists. This undoubtedly has the capacity to deceive a substantial portion of the public, Hangman Ridge, 105 Wash.2d at 785, 719 P.2d 531 (emphasis omitted), into believing that it cannot receive physical therapy elsewhere. It is no answer that the majority of BFOA patients take their referrals elsewhere, for it is conceivable that BFOA physicians make such deceptive representations only to patients with the most lucrative physical therapy referrals or until BFOA's physical therapists have reached capacity. The act of informing patients that they could receive physical therapy only from BFOA physical therapists, if proved, would constitute an unfair or deceptive practice. The act of pointing to BFOA's physical therapy location in response to a patient's question about where he could take the prescription carries a similar implication and would also, absent more, constitute an unfair and deceptive practice. ¶ 34 In sum, BFOA has failed to show that Columbia's CPA claim fails on the basis alleged since some of the alleged conduct could amount to an unfair or deceptive trade practice. We therefore affirm the trial court's refusal to grant summary judgment to BFOA on Columbia's CPA claim. In order to prevail on remand, Columbia must still demonstrate that the facts it alleges are true and that the remaining Hangman Ridge factors apply.