Kimberly Sierra suffering from a severe asthma attack went toSouthview Hospital

Kimberly Sierra suffering from a severe asthma attack went toSouthview Hospital and Family Health Center. She was treated in theemergency room by Dr. Thomas Mucci. At the time as a result ofstatements by Southview administrators brochures and ads Sierrabelieved that the physicians at Southview were hospital doctors.In fact Muccis contract with Southview stated the relationshipbetween [Southview and Mucci] shall be that of independentcontractor. Within a few hours Sierra was pronounced dead.Sierras mother Edna Clark sued Southview and others allegingnegligent medical care. Southview argued that it was notresponsible for the acts of its independent contractors. TheSupreme Court of Ohio heard the case and held that Southview wasliable under the doctrine of agency by estoppel based primarily onits holding itself out to the public as a provider of medicalservices.