Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Case Citation
Legal Case Name

Jones v. Healthsouth Treasure Valley Hospital Case Brief

Idaho Supreme Court2009Docket #352604
206 P.3d 473 147 Idaho 109 2009 Ida. LEXIS 20

Why Top Law Students (And Those Aspiring to Be) Use LSD+ Briefs

Let's be real, law school is a marathon. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full case system is designed by Harvard Law School and MIT grads to match your pace: Quick summaries when you're slammed, detailed analysis when you need to go deep. Only LSD+ offers this kind of flexibility to genuinely fit your study flow.

Adaptive Case Views

Toggle between Flash, Standard, and Expanded. Get what you need, when you need it.

Exam-Ready IRAC Format

We deliver the precise structure professors look for in exam answers.

Complex Cases, Clarified

We break down dense legal reasoning into something digestible, helping you grasp core concepts.

Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
4 min read

tl;dr: The court reversed summary judgment, holding a hospital can be vicariously liable under apparent agency for an independent contractor cell saver technician’s negligence, remanding to determine if facts support such a claim.

Legal Significance: This case established that Idaho’s doctrine of apparent agency extends to tort claims, allowing hospitals to be vicariously liable for negligent independent contractors if the hospital’s manifestations led to a reasonable belief of agency.

Jones v. Healthsouth Treasure Valley Hospital Law School Study Guide

Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.

Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

Lori Jones underwent surgery at Healthsouth Treasure Valley Hospital (TVH). Dr. Doerr, her surgeon, ordered a cell saver machine and technician, provided by B & B Autotransfusion Services, Inc. (B&B), an independent contractor to TVH. TVH paid B&B a flat fee and billed patients directly for these services. The cell saver technician, Jeri Kurtz, an employee of B&B, wore TVH-provided scrubs without distinguishing logos. TVH’s consent forms did not disclose Kurtz’s independent contractor status. During surgery, a pressure cuff was improperly placed on a reinfusion bag, leading to a fatal air embolism for Mrs. Jones. Appellants sued TVH, claiming vicarious liability for Kurtz’s negligence under apparent agency. The district court granted summary judgment to TVH, finding apparent agency inapplicable to tort claims in Idaho. Appellants argued Mrs. Jones reasonably believed Kurtz was a TVH employee due to TVH’s conduct, such as providing scrubs and not clarifying Kurtz’s independent status.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: Can a hospital be held vicariously liable under the doctrine of apparent agency for the negligence of an independently contracted cell saver technician assigned by the hospital to perform support services?

Yes, a hospital may be found vicariously liable under Idaho’s doctrine of 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

Master Every Case Faster

Unlock premium legal analysis that helps you quickly understand complex cases, designed by Harvard Law and MIT graduates. It's about working smarter, not just harder.

Start 14-Day Free Trial

Thousands of students are already saving time and gaining clarity. Why not you?

IRAC Legal Analysis

Premium Feature Unlock

Complete IRAC Analysis for Higher Grades

IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.

Legal Issue

Can a hospital be held vicariously liable under the doctrine of apparent agency for the negligence of an independently contracted cell saver technician assigned by the hospital to perform support services?

Conclusion

This decision significantly clarifies that hospitals in Idaho can be held vicariously 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 ci

Legal Rule

A principal can be held vicariously liable for an agent's tortious acts 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 ips

Legal Analysis

The Court first clarified that its prior decision in *Bailey v. Ness* 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 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 offic

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • A hospital can be vicariously liable for the negligence of an
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

Master Every Case Faster

Unlock premium legal analysis that helps you quickly understand complex cases, designed by Harvard Law and MIT graduates. It's about working smarter, not just harder.

Start 14-Day Free Trial

Thousands of students are already saving time and gaining clarity. Why not you?