One example of nursing case law is Utter v. United Hospital Center Inc. (1977). This case confirmed that nurses were expected to prevent harm when caring for patients based on their independent judgments. However, according to this case a patient’s arm showed signs of compartment syndrome and nurses failed to request re-evaulation when the primary providers did not correctly address the patients limb. Another example of nurse case law is Rowe v. Sisters of Pallottine Missionary Society (2001). This case confirmed that a hospital and a nurse did not question a discharge order causing the 17 year old to return to another hospital revealing lacerated popliteal artery and a dislocated knee. The patient had to have surgery and suffered nerve damage
