Reference no: EM131479170

A female patient has been taken to the emergency room of a local hospital for an attempted suicide by overdosing on medication. Due to the medical staff determining she posed a danger to herself, they admitted her to the hospital and put her on a 72-hour hold. The patient's primary physician was contacted and agreed to the admission for treatment related to the overdose. During the 72-hour hold, a nurse, following the physician's order, assisted the patient as she walked down a hospital corridor. The patient was wearing a rubber slipper that caught on the floor, causing her to fall and fracture a bone in her leg. The patient sued the hospital for negligence and premises liability. Applying the principle elements of a negligence cause of action, discuss the possible theories by which liability could be found in this case. If the nurse is found negligent, how is the hospital also liable? Does the hospital have any possible defenses? How should the court or jury rule?