University of Virginia Library

In April, last, suit was instituted in the Circuit Court of Albemarle County by one Sell Shiflett
of Greene County, Virginia, against Dr. C. S. Lentz, Administrator of University Hospital, Dr. James R. Cash,
head of the Department of Pathology of said Hospital, and Dr. Glenn Hendrickson, Dr. Robert Boyd, and Dr. R. E.
Balsley, in which the plaintiff claims damages in the sum of $5,000.00 alleging that on the 27th of January,
1945, in the University Hospital, an autopsy was performed upon the dead body of Addie Shiflett, deceased wife
of said Sell Shiflett, without the consent of said Sell Shiflett and without obtaining proper authority from the
Commonwealth's Attorney or Judge of the Circuit Court of Greene County, and that furthermore certain vital
organs were removed from said body without the consent of said plaintiff.

This suit was brought on behalf of said Sell Shiflett by John J. Morris, Attorney-at-Law of
Stanardsville. The case was a dangerous one from the standpoint of the University, and with the approval of
the Rector, the President, and several members of this Board, we have made every effort to settle the matter
out of Court. We had several conferences with Mr. Morris and finally succeeded in obtaining an offer on
behalf of his client to settle the claim in full by payment of $765.00. I strongly recommend this settlement
and although it will be noted that this suit is against individual employees of the University, it is my opinions
that this settlement is within the power of this Board.

RESOLVED, that Mr. Perkins, as Attorney for this Board, be and is hereby authorized to accept
the offer of John J. Morris, Attorney for Sell Shiflett, to settle the claim of the latter against
Drs. Lentz, Cash, Hendrickson, Boyd, and Balsley, for the sum of $765.00 cash.