Can a hospital be held liable for the negligence of an independent contractor physician?

This is one of the most contested issues in hospital negligence litigation. Hospitals often claim that physicians working in their facilities are independent contractors, not employees, which limits the hospital’s vicarious liability. However, courts in South Carolina have carefully examined this argument and found hospitals liable when patients reasonably believed the physician was a hospital employee or when the hospital exercised significant control over the physician’s practice. An attorney can evaluate how this issue applies to your situation.