North Carolina Baptist Hospitals, Inc. v. Harris

354 S.E.2d 471 (1987)

Facts

H was admitted to P for medical treatment. The treatment was necessary for the health and well-being of H. P's business office submitted to W a form to sign authorizing treatment. W signed this form in H's name, 'by Vern Dell Harris.' She declined to sign as a guarantor. W neither requested H's admission to the hospital, anticipated that he would be admitted, nor agreed to pay for the services. H charged $ 3,303.61 for the services provided. Neither H nor W has paid this bill to date. P sued H and W under the necessaries doctrine, and the court found H liable but dismissed against W. P appealed. The court of appeals affirmed, and P appealed.