in the instant case, the victim didn't owe the bill. The problem began when the stupid incompetent billing department turned it over to an even more stupid incompetent collection agency. It all went downhill from there.

It seems that more than a few medical facilities specialize in hiring incompetent out-of-control billers.

In this case, the billing department may have some liability as a result of creating this chaos (credit problems, false imprisonment, etc etc.).

Also, sending false financial statements through the US mails might also be an issue............