NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES, INC.V. AHMADI
96 A.2d 555 (1991)
NATURE OF THE CASE: National (D) appealed a decision for Ahmadi (P) which imposed in each
D a 50% contribution to the judgment and refused to order indemnification for Neurology (D).
FACTS: P came to the Neurology (D) and the Dr. ordered various tests, including a vitamin
B-12 level test to rule out B-12 deficiency. Blood was drawn on and sent to the National (D)
for the test. Because of an admitted error in the testing methodology, the National (D)
technicians incorrectly reached a normal-range finding. The true reading at the time would
have been dangerously lower than the normal-range result reported by National (D). P
continued to suffer and was admitted to the hospital. Another Neurology (D) Dr. ordered a
new test but it was never carried out. P continued on a roller coaster and Neurology (D)
again ruled out vitamin B-12 deficiency without conducting a new B-12 level test, instead
suggesting risky drug treatment for MS. P suffered a serious bladder infection for which she
went to see Dr. Bruce Spertell at Stanford University Medical Center. Over the next few
days, she became much weaker, and, on the verge of paralysis, went to Stanford on an
emergency basis, again seeing Dr. Spertell. Spertell diagnosed B-12 deficiency even before
the results of a new B-12 test came back at a dangerously low level. P has remained
paralyzed from the waist down ever since. P sued brought suit against Neurology (D) for
negligence and medical malpractice; against National (D) for negligent failure to perform
the B-12 test properly and for falsely reporting a normal result; and against Hospital (D)
for negligence in failing to complete a second B-12 test and failure to diagnose. The jury
found for P as against Neurology (D) and National (D), rendering a $10 million verdict
against both. The trial court ruled that while each was entitled to contribution of 50% from
the other, neither was entitled to indemnification. Neurology (D) appealed.
ISSUE:
RULE OF LAW:
HOLDING AND DECISION:
LEGAL ANALYSIS:
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