Able is involved in an automobile accident and is injured. While he is unconscious, the police call an ambulance which takes him to a hospital. Able is treated at the hospital and released a day later. The hospital sends him a bill for $4,500, which Able refuses to pay, claiming it is too high and he never consented to the treatment because he was unconscious. Able:
A) has entered into a unilateral contract with the hospital and therefore will have to pay the bill.
B) will have to pay the hospital, because this is a quasi-contractual agreement.
C) has entered into an implied in fact contract with the hospital.
D) and the hospital have entered into a bilateral contract, the terms of which require that he pay the bill.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A quasi-contractual agreement is recognized in situations where one party would be unjustly enriched at the expense of another if they were allowed to refuse payment for a service or benefit they received, especially in emergency situations where explicit consent cannot be given due to the circumstances, such as being unconscious.

Able Is Involved in an Automobile Accident and Is Injured