Hodge Ex Rel. Estate of Hodge v. Crafts-Farrow State Hospital

Littlejohn, Chief Justice:

The Plaintiff-Respondent, Joseph A. Hodge, as Executor of the estate of Katherine W. Hodge, deceased, commenced this action to collect damages for the alleged wrongful death of his 61-year-old wife from the Defendant-Appellant, Crafts-Farrow State Hospital (a state-owned institution) and against the State Commissioner of Mental Health, Dr. William S. Hall and against Richland Memorial Hospital. Both Dr. Hall and the Richland Memorial Hospital were dismissed prior to the trial. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Executor. We reverse.

The gravamen of the…