Walton v. Mariner Health of Maryland, Inc.

This case primarily involves a review of the laws of agency and contracts and the rules of statutory interpretation. Although Patricia Walton (“Patricia”) and Audrey Walton (“Audrey”) are both named parties in this case, the issue before us is whether Patricia, an agent for Audrey, can be held personally liable for Audrey’s outstanding debt. On January 10, 2003, Mariner Health of Southern Maryland (“Mariner Health”), a nursing home facility, sued Patricia, as agent, and her mother, Audrey, for breach of contract for failing to pay Audrey’s nursing home bill as allegedly agreed to by the…