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Brockton Hospital vs. John Cooper

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court1963-03-26
345 Mass. 616

Summary

Holding. The judgment for the hospital is affirmed. The trial court properly admitted the hospital records and charge itemizations into evidence, and sufficient evidence supported a finding that the defendant was liable for his wife's hospital care.

A hospital sued John Cooper to recover $1,176.10 in charges for medical care, board, and supplies provided to his wife. Cooper denied owing the debt and claimed the hospital breached the contract through unskilled treatment that injured his wife. At trial, the only witness was the hospital's office assistant manager, who testified about the itemized charges and confirmed they were fair and reasonable. Cooper requested several rulings, including one seeking a directed verdict in his favor, all of which the trial judge denied.

On appeal, Cooper argued the hospital failed to prove he was the husband of the patient. The court found sufficient evidence of identity: the name and address on the writ, the hospital record, and the return of service all matched, and Cooper appeared to defend the action on the merits. The court also rejected Cooper's other contentions that the services were not necessary, that no privity of contract existed, and that the charges were unfounded. The trial judge properly denied all of Cooper's requested rulings.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

  • Whether hospital records and testimony regarding itemized charges were properly admitted
  • Whether sufficient evidence established the defendant's identity as the patient's husband
  • Whether the hospital proved necessity of services and fair value of charges

Procedural posture

The defendant filed a report (appeal) from a judgment entered in favor of the hospital in an action for contract, which the Appellate Division affirmed and the defendant appealed to this court.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

majority opinion

Reardon, J.

The plaintiff brought an action of contract in which the declaration set forth in one count, with an account annexed, that the defendant owed it the sum of $1,176.10 for hospital care, board, medical services, and supplies furnished to the defendant’s wife. The defendant answered (1) a general denial and (2) that “there was a failure of consideration in plaintiff’s performance of its contract upon which recovery herein is sought” by virtue of unskilful treatment of the defendant’s wife which resulted in injury to her.

The only witness at the trial was the assistant manager in the office of the plaintiff who had charge of all hospital records. Over the defendant’s objection she testified to the itemized charges on the “Cooper account,” that they were fair and reasonable, and to a credit of $110.60 appearing on the account, the origin of which was not identified. On a claim of report by the defendant the Appellate Division found no error in the admission of this evidence. With that conclusion we concur. See G. L. c. 233, § 78; Household Fuel Corp. v. Hamacher, 331 Mass. 653, 658.

Both parties having rested, the defendant made requests for rulings, 23all of which were denied by the judge.

It is argued by the defendant that there was no evidence to support a finding that the defendant is the husband of the patient to whom there was supplied hospital care and board. A hospital record, duly admitted, was that of the “Account of John Cooper, for Alice Cooper, 1011 Centre Street, Brockton.” The writ described the defendant as “John Cooper of 1011 Centre Street, Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.” The return of service states that the deputy sheriff made an attachment of property of the “within named . . . John Cooper, 1,011 Centre Street, Brockton” and “afterwards on September 20, 1961, . . . summoned the within named defendant, John Cooper, to appear and answer at Court as within directed, by giving to him in hand a summons of this writ. ’ ’ The defendant appeared in response to this summons. While “bald identity of name without confirmatory facts or circumstances is not enough to indicate identity of person,” Ayers v. Ratshesky, 213 Mass. 589, 594, there is evidence here which goes beyond “bald identity.” The name and address appearing in the writ, the return, and the hospital record are identical. The defendant appeared and answered. The judge could find that the “John Cooper” who had joined issue upon the merits was the same “John Cooper” named in the hospital record. Ryan v. DiPaolo, 313 Mass. 492, 494-495. There was slight but sufficient evidence before the judge to warrant him in holding the defendant liable for the care of the patient, the cost of which was itemized in the account. Herman v. Fine, 314 Mass. 67, 69. The judge properly denied those requests which sought rulings to the effect that the services rendered by the hospital were not necessary. All of the defendant’s requests were properly denied.

Order dismissing report affirmed.

“1. Upon all the evidence a finding for the defendant is required. 2. Upon all the evidence plaintiff has failed to establish that the charges for room and board were necessary items, and, therefore, cannot recover. 3. Upon all the evidence plaintiff has failed to establish that the items alleged were necessaries, and, therefore, cannot recover. 4. Upon all the evidence plaintiff has failed to establish the fair value of the items alleged due from the defendant, and, therefore, cannot recover. 5. Upon all the evidence there is no privity of contract between plaintiff and defendant. 6. Plaintiff has failed to establish that defendant is the husband of the party for whom charges as alleged were made, and, therefore, cannot recover.”