In re Wyatt v. Vanguard Health Sys., Inc. (Summary)

HOSPITAL LIABILITY/ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

In re Wyatt v. Vanguard Health Sys., Inc., No. CV-13-0272-PR (Ariz. June 30, 2014)

The Supreme Court of Arizona vacated the opinion of a lower court, holding that Arizona’s Adult Protective Services Act applies to acute care hospitals in their treatment of patients and subjects them to potential liability.

Separate wrongful death lawsuits were brought against two hospitals, and then were consolidated. The hospitals argued that they should not be held liable under a state statute that holds providers of care liable for harm or neglect to a vulnerable adult. The hospitals argued further that they provide “treatment” rather than “care,” meaning they don’t fall under the text of the statute. The court disagreed, ruling that the language of the statute applies to acute care hospitals, as well as any other facility that neglects, abuses, or exploits vulnerable adults.