Opinion ID: 2215433
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Husband's Claim for Medical Expenses

Text: Plaintiff husband argues that he has been injured economically and that his economic loss deserves protection against his wife's negligence whether or not his interest in consortium gives rise to a valid claim against her. However, we have found no authority supporting such an award. Under the common law, and under Minn.St. 519.05, a husband is liable for all necessities furnished to his wife. [14] Medical expenses are included in the category of necessities. [15] A third party who injures one's wife is ultimately responsible for her medical expenses under the principle of equitable indemnity. [16] The husband is initially liable for them under Minn.St. 519.05, but the third party is ultimately liable. Under Minn.St. 519.05, as against his wife a husband is both initially and ultimately liable for her necessities. Plaintiff argues that under Janke v. Janke, 292 Minn. 296, 195 N.W.2d 185 (1972), a husband has a right to require his wife to reimburse him for his expense in caring for her. There a husband negligently injured his wife and she brought suit against him to recover her medical expenses. We held that he was liable for her expenses himself, and she could not recover unless she paid or assumed liability for them. In essence, plaintiff seeks to place upon his wife the ultimate liability for her own medical expenses. Under Janke and Boland v. Morrill, 275 Minn. 496, 148 N.W.2d 143 (1967), and Minn.St. 519.05, he is foreclosed from doing so. [17] Reversed.