D.P. v. Wrangell General Hospital

OPINION

MATTHEWS, Chief Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

D.P. was diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted to Wrangell General Hospital. The admitting orders stated that D.P. should remain in the building. Although D.P. remained under periodic observation, she walked out of the hospital. During her brief absence, she had sexual relations with a man whom she delusionally believed was either "Jesus" or "a prophet." D.P. sued the hospital and the duty nurse for negligence, and now appeals the superior court's grant of a directed verdict for both defendants. Because we hold that reasonable jurors could…