Court Opinion

ID: 9707448
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 02:11:53.218711+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:32.916695
License: Public Domain

FLAHERTY, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent. The opinion of the majority adopts an entirely new concept of liability, i.e., “corporate liability,” to be applied to hospitals in order to hold them liable as guarantors of the quality of care afforded by independent staff members. “Corporate liability” is totally distinct from the theory of respondeat superior. It is also to be distinguished from liability based upon ostensible agency.
In adopting this new theory of liability, the majority is making a monumental and ill-advised change in the law of this Commonwealth. The change reflects a deep pocket theory of liability, placing financial burdens upon hospitals for the actions of persons who are not even their own employees. At a time when hospital costs are spiraling upwards to a staggering degree, this will serve only to boost the health care costs that already too heavily burden the public. Traditional theories of liability, such as respon*344deat superior, have long proven to be perfectly adequate for establishing corporate responsibility for torts.
Further, in recognizing “corporate liability,” there is no logical basis upon which to limit this extension of liability to hospitals alone. Rather, all corporations, regardless of their lines of business, will be assertedly responsible for the torts of their independent contractors. Fearfully, such extensions of liability could well follow from the present decision.
In short, I would reverse the order of the Superior Court and thereby reject the theory of corporate liability. The order of the Court of Common Pleas granting summary judgment in favor of Nason Hospital was proper, since the alleged tortfeasors were not shown to be agents or employees of the hospital.
NIX, C.J., joins the dissenting opinion.