Opinion ID: 1876719
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Application of the Low Case

Text: Sowders argues that, should this court find that the direct-action statute is inapplicable in this case, then she should be allowed to proceed against St. Joseph's per Clayborn  and not be subjected to retroactive application of the Low decision in such a manner as to destroy her cause of action. The appellees argue that the Low case did not strip Sowders of a remedy and that the difference between the application of Clayborn and Low is purely procedural. We agree. As previously noted, in Clayborn , this court stated, albeit in dicta, that plaintiffs could sue charitable organizations; however, plaintiffs could not collect on any judgments because charitable organizations were immune from execution. In Low , we overruled the dicta in Clayborn , as well as our decision in Scamardo , and held that plaintiffs could not bring suit against charitable organizations. If the rule in Clayborn were applied in this case, then Sowders would be allowed to bring suit against St. Joseph's, but she would not be allowed to collect on any judgment because St. Joseph's assets are immune from execution; the end result would be that Sowders would not recover any damages from St. Joseph's. Under Low , Sowders cannot bring suit against or collect a judgment from St. Joseph's; the end result is that Sowders cannot recover damages from St. Joseph's. Sowders's claim against St. Joseph's is no less valuable under the holding in Low than it was before Low ; thus, the application of the rule in Low does not result in any unfair prejudice to Sowders. Further, even if Sowders were allowed to proceed to trial and obtain a judgment against St. Joseph's, the Program would not indemnify St. Joseph's. The plain language of the Program provides that it will indemnify St. Joseph's only to the extent that it is legally obligated to pay. By virtue of its charitable-immunity status, which Sowders does not challenge, St. Joseph's has no legal obligation to pay. Thus, it follows that the Program will not provide indemnity.