The Elam v CollegePark case is associated with which doctrine?

• A. Corporate Negligence
• B. Ostensible Agency
• C. Respondeat Superior
• D. Duty to Warn

Answer: (A)

Corporate negligence explains why a hospital can be liable for systemic failures in its policies, supervision, and maintenance that lead to patient harm. The Elam v. CollegePark case is associated with applying this theory, emphasizing the hospital’s own organizational shortcomings—such as inadequate risk management, supervision, or safety procedures—as the proximate cause of injury, rather than focusing solely on the actions of individual staff.

This differs from other doctrines: respondeat superior is about holding the employer liable for employees’ negligent acts performed within the scope of employment; ostensible agency deals with misrepresented authority or appearance of authority; duty to warn concerns informing patients of risks. The Elam case centers on the hospital’s collective duty to maintain safe operations and standards of care.