Hall V Hilbun

Hall V. Hilbun

Angela Void

Rasmussen College

Author Note

This paper is being submitted on May 18, 2014, for Susan Finneman’s Medical Law and Ethics class.

Hall V. Hilbun

In the case of Hall V. Hilbun Terry O. Hall was admitted to the Singing River Hospital in Jackson County, Mississippi, early in the morning of May 18, 1978, complaining of abdominal pain. Because he was of the opinion his patient had a surgical problem, Dr. R.D. Ward, her physician, requested Dr. Glyn R. Hilbun, a general surgeon, to enter the case for discussion. Examination suggested that the uneasiness and pain were probably caused by an obstruction of the small bowel. Dr. Hilbun recommended an exploratory laparotomy. Consent being given, Dr. Hilbun performed the surgery about noon on May 20, 1978, with apparent success. ("Hall V. Hilbun," 1985).

After surgery Mrs. Hall was moved into a recovery room at 1:35 p.m. where Dr. Hilbun stayed with her until about 2:50 p.m. At that time Mrs. Hall was alert and communicating with him. All vital signs were stable. Dr. Hilbun later left for the evening. Mrs. Hall was then moved to a private room where she died about 14 hours later. ("Hall V. Hilbun," 1985).

The case went to trial. At trial Glenn Hall, plaintiff below and appellant here, described the facts of the surgery. He then testified that he remained with his wife in her hospital room from the time she arrived from the recovery room at around 3:00 p.m. on May 20, 1978, until she finally died at approximately 5:00 a.m. on the morning of May 21. Hall stated that his wife complained of pain at about 9:00 p.m. and was given morphine for relief, and then she fell asleep. Thereafter, Hall observed that his wife had problems breathing which he reported to the nurses. He asked if something was wrong and was told his wife was all right and that such breathing was not unusual following surgery. Later, Mrs. Hall woke up and started complaining of pain in her abdomen and asked for a sedative,...