Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An archaic term for a hospital or charitable institution that provides care for the sick or injured.
Sources & Authorities· 15 primary sources
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Cases
Federal Rules
Uniform Acts
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Payment Offer in Hospital Injury Suit
Sofia Stern slipped on a wet floor at the local hospital and broke her wrist. The hospital administrator offered to cover her treatment costs without admitting fault. When Sofia later sued, the court excluded evidence of that offer to prove liability.
Mental Exam Ordered at Hospital
Steven Silva was charged with assault and filed notice of a mental disease defense. The court directed the superintendent of the nearby hospital to designate a psychiatrist to examine him and prepare a report on his condition.
Emergency Care at Hospital Without Consent
Samantha Stone arrived unconscious after a train accident and was taken to the hospital. The resident physician amputated her leg to save her life before she regained consciousness. The physician faced no liability for the unconsented procedure.
Serena Soto sought to open a group home for individuals with intellectual disabilities in a residential neighborhood. The city denied the permit citing local ordinances. The Supreme Court held that the denial violated equal protection because the classification lacked a rational basis.
City of Cleburne, Texas, et al. v. Cleburne Living Center, Inc., et al.473 U.S. 432, 105 S. Ct. 3249, 87 L. Ed. 2d 313 (1985)
Privacy Rights at Clinic
Seth Shapiro and his wife received contraceptive advice at a clinic. State law criminalized providing such information. The Supreme Court struck down the statute as violating the right to marital privacy protected by the Constitution.
Griswold v. Connecticut381 U.S. 479 (1965)
Right to Refuse Treatment
Sabrina Shah remained in a persistent vegetative state after an accident. Her family sought to discontinue life support based on her prior wishes. The Supreme Court recognized a liberty interest in refusing unwanted medical treatment but required clear evidence of those wishes.
Cruzan by Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Dept, of Health497 U.S. 261, 277 (1990)
Common questions
Frequently Asked
1
What does the term spital mean in older legal texts?+
It refers to a hospital or charitable institution providing medical care to the sick or poor.
410 U.S. 113 (1973)Constitutional Law
…is in accord with the results reached in those few cases where the issue has been squarely presented. McGarvey v. Magee-Womens Hospital , 340 F. Supp. 751 (WD Pa. 1972); Byrn v. New York City Health & Hospitals Corp. , 31 N. Y. 2d 194, 286 N. E. 2d 887 (1972), appeal docketed, No. 72-223; Wade v. Buchanan , 42 U. S. C. Q.…
TortsCommon-law strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities and defenses to such claims · Common-law strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities and defenses to such claimsNEXTGENIntermediate