Horner v. Northern Pacific Beneficial Ass'n Hospitals, Inc.

This action at law is the result of injuries claimed to have been incurred during surgery. The sole question essential to determine this appeal is whether res ipsa loquitur applies.

Respondent, an X-ray technician, was a member of a prepaid medical insurance plan and entitled to medical and hospital care from the appellant which operates a hospital in Tacoma. On June 17, 1957, she entered appellant’s hospital as a patient to have a hysterectomy, an abdominal operation involving removal of the uterus.

Respondent was given a preoperative sedative, taken to surgery by cart, and placed on her back…