Martinez v. St. Joseph Healthcare System

OPINION

RANSOM, Justice.

We issued a writ of certiorari to the Court of Appeals to review whether a hospital enforcing its statutory hen upon proceeds of a personal injury settlement must pay its proportionate share of attorney’s fees and other costs incurred in the course of the patient’s pursuit of her claim against the third party. The district court determined that a hospital should pay its proportionate share. The Court of Appeals summarily reversed. We reverse the Court of Appeals and affirm the district court.

Facts and proceedings. On August 11, 1991, Debbie D. Trujillo was admitted to…