Lockett v. Goodill

The trial court sustained a challenge to the sufficiency of plaintiff’s evidence as a matter of law. He appeals from a judgment dismissing his action.

April 14, 1964, plaintiff commenced this action for damages against Dr. G. H. Lawrence who, on April 19, 1961, operated upon him for appendicitis; Dr. Fred Goodill, the anesthesiologist; the Mason Clinic, a copartnership; and the Virginia Mason Hospital, a corporation, where the operation was performed.

Although the appendectomy was apparently successful, plaintiff was paralyzed in both lower extremities after the operation. An epidural block had…