Young v. Huntsville Hosp.

The original opinion of December 27, 1991, is withdrawn and the following is substituted therefor.

This case presents a premises liability question. The specific question presented is whether a hospital or other health care facility owes a duty to protect its sedated or anesthetized patients from third-party criminal acts. We have never before decided this specific question, although we have considered other cases involving the liability of an owner for injuries caused to invitees as a proximate result of a criminal act.

Some of the basic facts are not disputed. The plaintiff, Paula Jean Young,…