Doctor Sues Hospital for Slip and Fall

With all the insurance industry’s tort reform propaganda on the airwaves today, one might think that lawyers are the only ones bringing any malpractice or negligence lawsuits today. Doctor Loomis, a neurosurgeon, had surgery privileges at St. Mary’s Medical Center. When he was visiting patients in the hospital, he stopped in the pantry to get a cup of coffee, as physicians often did. He slipped and fell on a wet spot on the floor, injuring his hip and left arm. Besides suffering pain in his leg, his arm has become mostly useless, making it impossible to perform surgery.

Loomis sold his medical practice and sued the hospital for failing to maintain the floor in a reasonably safe condition. The jury awarded him $17 million for loss of income, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. The hospital appealed.

St. Mary’s Medical Center of Evansville, Inc. v. Loomis, 783 N.E.2d 274 (Ct. App. Ind., 2002)