Book excerpt: This volume presents, from an international legal perspective, research on the legal liability of hospitals in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa. It describes and explains the following grounds or theories which establish liability in the legal systems of the various countries: - indirect or vicarious liability; - direct or primary liability; - liability in terms of the non-delegable duty; - breach of contract; and - doctrines invoking liability. Detailed discussion of case law - including cases involving such related areas as the liability of airlines, shipping companies, and other groups - shows how the different grounds in various countries' legal systems are successfully applied. The Legal Liability of Hospitals will be of great value to practising lawyers, law students and teachers, and health care management officials.