Piehl v. Dalles General Hospital

Plaintiff was operated on for stomach ulcers by the defendant Dey, a surgeon. During the operation, which was performed at The Dalles General Hospital, which is also a defendant, a piece of material known as a laparotomy sponge was left in plaintiffs abdomen. Plaintiff brought an action for damages against both defendants, each of whom filed pleadings requesting indemnification from the other for any judgment plaintiff might receive. The trial of the case resulted in a jury verdict in favor of plaintiff against both defendants and in a directed verdict requiring the hospital to indemnify the…