Grande v. Eisenhower Medical Center

Summary

The court held that the nurse's settlement with the staffing agency did not release her claims against the hospital because the release did not clearly include the hospital and the trial court's interpretation was supported by substantial evidence. It also held that the hospital could not invoke claim preclusion because it was not in privity with the staffing agency: their legal interests were not adequately aligned, and neither indemnification nor alleged derivative liability established the required relationship. The court affirmed the Court of Appeal and disapproved contrary precedent to the extent inconsistent with its analysis.