Leonard v. Watsonville Community Hospital

47 Cal.2d 509 (1956)

305 P.2d 36

GRACE T. LEONARD, Appellant,

v.

WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL et al., Respondents.

Docket No. S.F. 19485.

Supreme Court of California. In Bank.

December 21, 1956.

Crist, Peters & Donegan and Elton F. Martin for Appellant.

Wyckoff, Parker, Boyle & Pope, McCarthy & Franich and Henry F. Brauer for Respondents.

GIBSON, C.J.

A scissors-shaped metal instrument about 6 inches long, called a Kelly clamp, was left in plaintiff's abdomen when an operation was performed on her at defendant hospital. The operation was commenced by Doctors Lacy and Slegal. Kay Pogatschnik, who was…