Ohio Hospital Faces Negligence Trial for Nurse Contractor’s Acts

An Ohio hospital must face a trial over personal injury claims stemming from an independent contractor nurse’s alleged negligence because the nurse was subject to the hospital’s control and supervision at all times, a state appeals court said.

A hospital normally isn’t liable for a nonemployee’s actions because no right of control exists, the Ohio Court of Appeals, 10th District, said Thursday. But there is no distinction between independent contractor nurses and employed nurses in a hospital setting, it said.

All nurses must follow hospital guidelines and protocols in carrying out their normal, everyday duties, regardless of whether they are ...