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Case Citation
Legal Case Name

De May v. Roberts Case Brief

Michigan Supreme Court1881Docket #65073052
46 Mich. 160 9 N.W. 146 1881 Mich. LEXIS 541 Torts Health Law

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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

Torts Focus
3 min read

tl;dr: A physician brought a non-medical man to a woman’s childbirth, misrepresenting his status. The court held that the woman’s consent to his presence and touch was invalid due to the deceit, making the defendants liable for battery and invasion of privacy.

Legal Significance: This case establishes the principle that consent to an otherwise tortious act (like battery or intrusion) is invalid if it is induced by fraud or deceit as to the essential nature or character of the conduct or the actor’s identity.

De May v. Roberts Law School Study Guide

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Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

The plaintiff, Mrs. Roberts, hired the defendant, Dr. De May, to assist with her childbirth. Dr. De May brought defendant Scattergood, a young, unmarried layman with no medical training, to the plaintiff’s small home. The doctor introduced Scattergood vaguely as a “friend” who was there to help carry his things. The plaintiff and her husband, reasonably believing Scattergood to be a medical student or assistant physician, did not object to his presence in the delivery room. During a labor pain, at Dr. De May’s direction, Scattergood held the plaintiff’s hand to assist. The plaintiff later discovered Scattergood’s true non-professional status and sued both men for assault and battery and for wrongfully intruding upon the privacy of her confinement. The defendants argued that the plaintiff’s husband had consented and that their actions were necessary due to bad weather and the doctor’s fatigue.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: Is consent to the presence and physical contact of a third party during a medical procedure legally valid if that consent was procured through a deceptive misrepresentation of the third party’s professional qualifications and purpose?

No. The defendants are liable for their actions. The plaintiff’s consent to Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptat

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IRAC Legal Analysis

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Legal Issue

Is consent to the presence and physical contact of a third party during a medical procedure legally valid if that consent was procured through a deceptive misrepresentation of the third party’s professional qualifications and purpose?

Conclusion

This case is a foundational precedent in tort law, affirming that consent Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitat

Legal Rule

A plaintiff's consent to an act that would otherwise constitute a tort, Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in vol

Legal Analysis

The court's reasoning focused on the invalidity of the plaintiff's consent, which Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in rep

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • Consent to another’s presence or to a physical touching is invalid
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fug

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