WOODS v. BARNIES

**Woods v. Barnies: Court Rules Hospital May Owe Duty to Protect Non-Patients from Fainting Injuries** This case involved someone who was injured after fainting while participating in or observing a medical procedure at Holy Cross Hospital, even though they were not a patient. The person sued the hospital for negligence, claiming the hospital should have protected them from foreseeable harm. Initially, a lower court ruled in favor of the hospital, deciding the case through summary judgment without a trial. However, an appeals court reversed this decision in February 2023. The appeals court found there were genuine factual questions about whether the hospital had a legal duty to protect non-patients from predictable fainting injuries during medical procedures. The case was sent back to the lower court for further proceedings. This ruling matters for workers because it expands potential workplace protections beyond traditional employee-employer relationships. Hospital staff, medical students, family members observing procedures, or other non-patient participants may have legal grounds to hold healthcare facilities accountable for foreseeable injuries. The decision suggests that institutions may have broader safety obligations to people in their facilities, even when those individuals aren't receiving direct services. This could strengthen safety protections for various categories of workers and visitors in medical settings.