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Question
During a clinical outreach program, a pharmacist named Carla pays a hospital bill on behalf of a beneficiary, believing the beneficiary is the one legally obligated to pay. In truth, the beneficiary had already settled the balance and there is no outstanding debt to the hospital in the beneficiary’s name. The hospital accepts Carla’s payment and issues a receipt naming the beneficiary as payer. The beneficiary did not authorize Carla to pay on his behalf and does not seek reimbursement. Carla sues the beneficiary to recover the amount she paid, arguing there was a mistaken payment. (a) Identify which doctrine governs this scenario and explain why it is not Accion in Rem Verso. (b) Distinguish the controlling rule of the chosen doctrine from the doctrine of Accion in Rem Verso. (c) Apply the rule to the facts and determine whether Carla can recover from the beneficiary and why.