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  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
  • Thornton Thomasina Vs State Of New JerseyPersonal Injury document preview
						
                                

Preview

ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 1 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 WILSON, ELSER, MOSKOWITZ, EDELMAN & DICKER LLP Matthew R. Major, Esq. (Atty. I.D. No. 035182010) Sierra S. Santana, Esq. (Atty. I.D. No. 381302022) 7 Giralda Farms Madison, New Jersey 07940 Tel: (973) 624-0800; Fax: (973) 624-0808 matthew.major@wilsonelser.com; sierra.santana@wilsonelser.com Attorneys for Defendant, Universal Protection Services, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services (i/p/a Universal Protection Service, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services) : SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY THOMASINA R. THORNTON, Guardian : LAW DIVISION: ESSEX COUNTY Ad Litem for CRAIG O’RILEY, an : DOCKET NO.: ESX-L-5607-23 incapacitated person, : : CIVIL ACTION Plaintiff(s), : vs. : : STATE OF NEW JERSEY, UNIVERSITY : HOSPITAL, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, : UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, : THIRD-PARTY COMPLAINT LLC d/b/a ALLIED UNIVERSAL : SECURITY SERVICES, JOHN DOES 1- : 100 (fictitious defendants), ABC : CORPORATIONS 1-100 (fictitious : defendants), : : Defendant(s). : : : UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICES, : LLC D/B/A ALLIED UNIVERSAL : SECURITY SERVICES, : : Third-Party Plaintiff, : : vs. : : DUSHAUN MORRIS, : : Third-Party Defendant. : : Defendant/Third Party Plaintiff, Universal Protection Services, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services (i/p/a Universal Protection Service, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security 1 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 2 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 Services), by way of its Third Party Complaint against Third Party Defendant, Dushaun Morris alleges and says: PARTIES 1. Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff, Universal Protection Services, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services (“Allied Universal”) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, with its principal place of business located in Irvine, California. 2. Third-Party Defendant, Dushaun Morris, is an individual, and upon information and belief, domiciled within the State of New Jersey with a last known address of 418A South 9th Street, Newark, NJ 07103. At all times relevant hereto, Mr. Morris was an employee of Defendant University Hospital. STATEMENT OF FACTS 3. Craig O’Riley, though his guardian ad litem Thomasina R. Thornton (“Plaintiff”) has asserted direct claims against Allied Universal in the above-captioned litigation. A true and correct copy of the Complaint is attached as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference. 4. By way of background, Plaintiff alleges in his Complaint that he was admitted to University Hospital on September 14, 2021, for mental health treatment. Shortly after his admission, in the early hours of September 15, 2021, Plaintiff alleges he was brutally and repeatedly assaulted by University Hospital employee and Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris. See Exhibit A. 5. According to the Complaint, Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris was captured on surveillance video repeatedly assaulting Plaintiff without any provocation in the following specific instances: 2 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 3 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 a. At approximately 2:32 A.M., it is alleged that Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is seen tackling Plaintiff onto his bed as Plaintiff was simply standing within the doorway to his room; b. At approximately 2:35 A.M., it is alleged that Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is seen entering Plaintiff’s room forcing Plaintiff into the corner by repeatedly hitting him in the torso as he then stands over Plaintiff in an aggressive and intimidating manner and continues to verbally assaults him; c. At approximately 5:09 A.M., as Plaintiff is attempting to shut his room door, it is alleged that Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is seen charging towards Plaintiff attempting to hit him with his fist resulting in Plaintiff flinching and backing away, Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris subsequently kicks Plaintiff in the leg; d. At approximately 5:28 A.M., it is alleged that Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is seen once again charging towards Plaintiff, as Plaintiff has his back turned towards the door, and brutally tackles Plaintiff onto his bed once again and continues to verbally assault Plaintiff; e. At 5:34 A.M., it is alleged that Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is observed violently forcing Plaintiff into his room and forcefully pushes him onto his bed; f. Between 5:35 A.M. and 5:39 A.M., it is alleged that Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is seen restraining Plaintiff using straps attached to his bed and subsequently gagging Plaintiff with what appears to be a piece of tape, Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris then continues to stand over Plaintiff in an intimidating and aggressive manner as he is strapped to the bed and verbally assaults him; and 3 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 4 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 g. At 7:27 A.M., it is alleged that Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is seen charging into Plaintiff’s room as he is strapped to his bed coming towards Plaintiff as though he is about to attack, causing Plaintiff to recoil in fear of being assaulted once again. See Exhibit A. 6. Plaintiff alleges that he attempted to report these incidents to University Hospital employees on September 17, 2021, but was told by an unknown University Hospital employee that nothing was seen on video. See Exhibit A. 7. As a result of the foregoing acts perpetrated by Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris, Plaintiff alleges he sustained permanent damage, injury and loss. See Exhibit A. 8. Nevertheless, Plaintiff did not name Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris as a defendant in his Complaint. Instead, Plaintiff named the State of New Jersey, University Hospital, and Rutgers University as defendants. Plaintiff also named Allied Universal as a defendant alleging that he, through his temporary guardian, was also informed that Mark Bailey, an employee of Allied Universal, had negligently failed to prevent Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris’s attack on Plaintiff despite having knowledge of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris’s intentions to conduct said attack. Plaintiff alleges that Mr. Bailey knew or should have known of the impending attach and took no actions to prevent the attack. See Exhibit A. 9. Four of the eleven causes of action in the Complaint are directed at Allied Universal: Count Seven (negligent hiring), Count Eight (negligent supervision), Count Nine (gross negligence), and Count Ten (respondeat superior). See Exhibit A. COUNT I (Contribution) 10. Allied Universal repeats, re-alleges, and incorporates by reference herein the allegations set forth in the prior Counts of the Third Party Complaint as if repeated herein at length. 4 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 5 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 11. Allied Universal denies any and all legal liability and responsibility for the causes of action alleged in the Complaint. 12. At the time and place mentioned in the Complaint, the damages allegedly sustained by the Plaintiff resulted solely from the negligence and carelessness of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris and the responsibility is, therefore, upon Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris or, if there was any negligence, which is denied, the negligence of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris was a major contributing factor therein and he is liable to Allied Universal. 13. By reason of the negligence of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris and pursuant to the provisions of the Joint Tortfeasors Contribution Act, Allied Universal is entitled to recover from Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris a proportionate share for all damages which the Plaintiff may recover. WHEREFORE, Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff, Universal Protection Services, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services (i/p/a Universal Protection Service, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services), demands judgment for contribution against Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris, together with interest, attorneys' fees, costs of suit and such other relief as the court deems appropriate and equitable pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Tortfeasors Contribution Law, N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-1, et seq. and the Comparative Negligence Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1 et seq. COUNT II (Common Law Indemnification) 14. Allied Universal repeats, re-alleges, and incorporates by reference herein the allegations set forth in the prior Counts of the Third Party Complaint as if repeated herein at length. 15. Allied Universal denies any and all legal liability and responsibility for the causes of action alleged in the Complaint. 5 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 6 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 16. Although Allied Universal denies any liability whatsoever, it nonetheless asserts that any and all injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiff was the proximate result of the negligence of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris (said names being fictitious). 17. Additionally, Allied Universal and its employee had no knowledge of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris’s intentions to conduct said attack.. 18. If Allied Universal should be found liable to Plaintiff, which liability is denied, said liability will only be secondary, implied, passive, technical, vicarious or imputed and the liability of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris is primary, active and direct, thus giving rise to a duty on the part of Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris to hold Allied Universal harmless and indemnify Allied Universal from any and all losses sustained herein. 19. Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris has failed to defend and/or indemnify Allied Universal. WHEREFORE, Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff, Universal Protection Services, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services (i/p/a Universal Protection Service, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services), demands judgment against Third-Party Defendant Dushaun Morris for common-law indemnification in full with respect to any damages which may be recovered against Allied Universal, together with costs and attorneys’ fees. JURY DEMAND Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff, Universal Protection Services, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services (i/p/a Universal Protection Service, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services), hereby demands a trial by jury as to all issues. DESIGNATION OF TRIAL COUNSEL 6 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 7 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 Please take notice that pursuant to R. 4:25-4, Matthew R. Major, Esq. is hereby designated as trial counsel in the above-captioned litigation. CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 4:5-1 1. To the best of my knowledge, the within matters in controversy are not the subject of any other action pending in any other Court or of a pending arbitration proceeding nor is any action or arbitration proceedings contemplated; and 2. To the best of my knowledge, there are no other parties required to be joined in this action at this time. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 1:38-7 Pursuant to R. 1:38-7(b), all confidential identifiers of the parties to this action have or will be redacted from all documents or pleadings submitted to the court. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this 6th day of November 2023. WILSON, ELSER, MOSKOWITZ, EDELMAN & DICKER, LLP By: s/ Matthew R. Major Matthew R. Major, Esq. 7 Giralda Farms Madison, New Jersey 07940 Tel: (973) 624-0800 Fax: (973) 624-0808 matthew.major@wilsonelser.com Attorneys for Third-Party Plaintiff Universal Protection Services, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services 7 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 1:11:38 PM Pg 8 of 34 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 EXHIBIT A 8 2789113v.1 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 9 1 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 LCV20232483762 JOHN J. SCURA III, ESQ., (Attorney ID: 022771993) SCURA, WIGFIELD, HEYER, STEVENS & CAMMAROTA, LLP 1599 HAMBURG TURNPIKE WAYNE, NJ 07470 Tel: (973) 696-8391 Fax: (973) 696-8571 Attorneys for Plaintiff NICHOLAS A. PAGLIARA, ESQ., (Attorney ID: 054712014) PAGLIARA LAW GROUP, P.A. 939 JFK Blvd. East Ste. 2 Weehawken, NJ 07086 Tel: (201) 470-4181 Attorneys for Plaintiff SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY THOMASINA R. THORNTON, Guardian LAW DIVISION – ESSEX COUNTY Ad Litem for CRAIG O’RILEY, an incapacitated person, Docket No.: Plaintiff, v. COMPLAINT AND JURY DEMAND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LLC d/b/a ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY SERVICES, JOHN DOES 1- 100 (fictitious defendants), ABC CORPORATIONS 1-100 (fictitious defendants), Defendant. Plaintiff, DeHavilland O’Riley, as Guardian Ad Litem for Craig O’Riley, an incapacitated person (collectively referred to as “Plaintiff”), residing at 1060 Broad Street, #237, Newark, New Jersey 07102, by way of Complaint says that: ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg10 2 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 PARTIES 1. The Plaintiff, Thomasina R. Thornton, Esq., is the Court appointed guardian ad litem of incapacitated person Craig O’Riley, does not have any interest contrary to that of the incapacitated person in this cause, and has consented to act as guardian ad litem. See Exhibit A attached hereto. 2. Defendant University Hospital is a hospital located at 150 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey 07103, and part of Defendant Rutgers University’s network of healthcare facilities. 3. Defendant, State of New Jersey, located at 25 Market Street Trenton, New Jersey, owns and is responsible for the operations of the University Hospital and Rutgers University employees and personnel. Reference to the University Hospital and Rutgers University throughout this complaint shall also mean the State of New Jersey. 4. Rutgers University is located at 57 US Highway 1, New Brunswick, New Jersey 0890, and is the parent entity involved in the management and operations of Defendant University Hospital. 5. Universal Protection Service, LLC d/b/a Allied Universal Security Services (hereinafter referred to as “Allied Universal Security Services”) is the company that is contracted with University Hospital to provide security services and is located at 50 Park Place, Newark, New Jersey 07102 6. Defendants JOHN DOES 1-100 and ABC CORP. 1-100 are fictitious names for the unidentified person or entities who participated in the action which give rise to this litigation and/or aided and abetted the Defendants and are presently unknown to Plaintiff pending further investigation and discovery. ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg11 3 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 BACKGROUND FACTS 7. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 8. On or around September 14, 2021, Craig O’Riley (hereinafter “Mr. O’Riley”), was admitted to University Hospital, Crisis bed number 6, for mental health treatment. 9. Defendants understood that Mr. O’Riley was an extremely vulnerable patient in the crisis unit of the hospital and the Defendants owed him a heightened duty to ensure his safety. 10. Shortly after Mr. O’Riley’s admission to University Hospital, in the early hours of September 15, 2021, Mr. O’Riley was brutally and repeatedly assaulted by University Hospital employee Dushaun Morris (hereinafter “Mr. Morris”). 11. Mr. Morris was captured on surveillance videos repeatedly assaulting Mr. O’Riley without any provocation whatsoever. 12. The video revealed the following: Throughout the early hours of September 15, 2021, Mr. Morris assaulted Mr. O’Riley in the following manner: (1) at approximately 2:32 A.M. Mr. Morris is seen tackling Mr. O’Riley onto his bed as Mr. O’Riley was simply standing within the doorway to his room; (2) shortly after, at approximately 2:35 A.M., Mr. Morris is seen entering Mr. O’Riley’s room forcing Mr. O’Riley into the corner by repeatedly hitting him in the torso as he then stands over Mr. O’Riley in an aggressive and intimidating manner and continues to verbally assaults him; (3) at approximately 5:09 A.M., as Mr. O’Riley is attempting to shut his room door, Mr. Morris is seen charging towards Mr. O’Riley attempting to hit him with his fist resulting in Mr. O’Riley flinching and backing away, Mr. Morris subsequently kicks Mr. O’Riley in the leg; (4) at approximately 5:28 A.M., Mr. Morris is seen once again charging towards Mr. O’Riley, as Mr. O’Riley has his back turned towards the door, and brutally tackles Mr. O’Riley ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg12 4 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 onto his bed once again and continues to verbally assault Mr. O’Riley; (5) at 5:34 A.M. Mr. Morris is once again observed violently forcing Mr. O’Riley into his room and forcefully pushes him onto his bed; (6) shortly after, between 5:35 and 5:39 A.M., Mr. Morris is seen restraining Mr. O’Riley using straps attached to his bed and subsequently gagging Mr. O’Riley with what appears to be a piece of tape, Mr. Morris then continues to stand over Mr. O’Riley in an intimidating and aggressive manner as he is strapped to the bed and verbally assaults him; and (7) at 7:27 A.M. Mr. Morris is seen charging into Mr. O’Riley’s room as he is strapped to his bed coming towards Plaintiff as though he is about to attack, causing Plaintiff to recoil in fear of being assaulted once again. 13. Following the above-described incidents, Mr. O’Riley attempted to report said incident to University Hospital employees on approximately September 17, 2021. In response, Mr. O’Riley was falsely informed by a currently unknown University Hospital employee that nothing was seen on video regarding the assault that took place. 14. Mr. O’Riley ultimately filed a report with the Rutgers Police Department on September 21, 2021. 15. Mr. O’Riley, through his temporary guardian, was also informed that Mark Bailey (“Mr. Bailey”), an employee of Allied Universal Security Services, had negligently failed to prevent Mr. Morris’ attack on Mr. O’Riley despite having knowledge of Mr. Morris’ intentions to conduct said attack. Mark Bailey knew or should have known of the impending attach and took no actions to prevent the attack. 16. As a result of Mr. Bailey’s negligence in failing to prevent Mr. Morris’ attack and failing to protect Mr. O’Riley, there were no other University Hospital, Rutgers University, nor Allied Universal Security Services employees within the area wherein the attack took place. ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg13 5 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 FIRST COUNT 17. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 18. Plaintiff have filed a timely Tort Claim Notice against the Defendant(s) pursuant to the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. 59:8-1 et seq., and has waited the jurisdictional six (6) months (N.J.S.A. 59:8-8) before filing this action. Plaintiff have also sent notice to Defendants University Hospital, Rutgers University, and the State of New Jersey. 19. Defendants, University Hospital, Rutgers University and the State of New Jersey, and its employees and agents, owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care and breached that duty by failing to protect Plaintiff from the actions and harms described above. 20. Defendants, University Hospital, Rutgers University and the State of New Jersey, owed a duty of care to Plaintiff, Craig O’Riley, who suffered from mental issues, to provide reasonable security and ensure that he received reasonable medical and psychiatric care comporting with acceptable standards of care. 21. Defendants, University Hospital, Rutgers University and the State of New Jersey and their employees and agents, breached their duty of care when they failed to provide adequate security resulting in a violent attack upon Plaintiff by one of the Defendants’ employees and/or agents. Their treatment of plaintiff deviated from acceptable standards of care and the conduct of Defendants was palpably unreasonable. 22. At said time and place, Mr. O’Riley was brutally attacked by Mr. Morris and suffered serious and permanent injuries as a result of the attack. 23. Defendants, University Hospital, Rutgers University, and the State of New Jersey, were negligent, careless, reckless and/or palpably unreasonable in failing to exercise due care in ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg14 6 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 the hiring, supervision, retention, and training of their employees and/or agents, thus resulting in a dangerous situation causing harm to Plaintiff. Defendants failed to have adequate staff on the Crisis unit. Defendants knew or should have known of the propensities of Mr. Morris. 24. As a direct and proximate result of the aforesaid negligence and recklessness of Defendants, University Hospital, Rutgers University and the State of New Jersey, Plaintiff, Craig O’Riley, has been permanently injured, was caused great pain and mental suffering, has incurred and in the future will incur substantial expenses for the treatment of his injuries, has been permanently disabled and not able to perform his usual functions or engage in his usual pursuits, sustained multiple serious and permanent injuries, and in the future will be caused great pain and suffering, due to his great loss and damage. Plaintiff’s costs of medical treatment and injuries exceed the threshold under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2. Mr. O’Riley has a permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment, permanent psychiatric disability that significantly impacts his life as well as medical treatment expenses in excess of $3,600 related to the defendant’s actions/inactions. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment for compensatory damages against Defendants, University Hospital, Rutgers University, the State of New Jersey, and Allied Universal Security Services together with attorney fees, interest and costs of suit. SECOND COUNT 25. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 26. As parties dealing with the public, Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University were bound to use reasonable care in selecting employees, agents, and/or representatives competent and fit for the work assigned to them and to refrain from retaining the ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg15 7 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 services of an unfit employee, agent, and/or representative. 27. Accordingly, the Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff to use due care and circumspection when investigating the credentials of an ultimately hiring its employees or representatives that dealt with the Plaintiff at Defendants’ behest. 28. Defendants knew or should have known that Dushaun Morris was unfit for the task to which Defendants assigned said individual. Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff and breached that duty. 29. Defendants knew or had reason to know of the particular unfitness or incompetence of the aforesaid employee, agent, and/or representative and could reasonably have foreseen that such characteristics created a risk of harm to the general public, such as the Plaintiff. Defendants’ actions/inactions were palpably unreasonable. 30. Defendants unnecessarily exposed Plaintiff to a risk of loss and injuries by hiring Dushaun Morris and have therefore breached their duty of care to Plaintiff by hiring an employee, agent, and/or representative who intentionally attacked the Plaintiff. 31. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of the Defendants, Plaintiff has been damaged. Plaintiff’s costs of medical treatment and injuries exceed the threshold under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2. Mr. O’Riley has a permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment, permanent psychiatric disability that significantly impacts his life as well as medical treatment expenses in excess of $3,600 related to the defendant’s actions/inactions. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against all above-named Defendants for compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg16 8 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 THIRD COUNT 32. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 33. As parties dealing with the public, Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University had a duty of care to Plaintiff to supervise employees properly and in the best interest of vulnerable patients such as Plaintiff. 34. Upon the hiring of Dushaun Morris, Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University failed to properly and supervise Dushaun Morris in the carrying out of his job responsibilities. 35. At the time of Defendants acts and omissions, the Defendants failed or neglected to exercise any control or supervision over Defendants’ employees, agents, or representatives. Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff and breached their duty to protect Plaintiff. Defendants’ actions were palpably unreasonable. 36. Upon information and belief, no means were in place to detect misconduct or to protect the Plaintiff. Defendants failed to have adequate staff on the Crisis unit which would have prevented the attack by Dushaun Morris. The hospital procedures and protocol on this Crisis unit were woefully deficient. 37. Defendants knew or had reason to suspect that Dushaun Morris was grossly negligent and/or illegally handling the responsibilities of his position. Defendants neglected their duty to patients such as Mr. O’Riley by negligently, recklessly, and/or willfully retaining and failing to supervise Dushaun Morris. 38. It was foreseeable that Defendants conduct as described and complained of herein, would result in harm to Mr. O’Riley and ultimately cause damage to him. As a result, thereof, ESX-L-005607-23 ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/20231:11:38 1:35:14PM PM Pg Pg17 9 of of23 34 Trans TransID: ID:LCV20232483762 LCV20233307305 Plaintiff has in fact been damaged. 39. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of the Defendants, the State of New Jersey, University Hospital and Rutgers University, in failing to properly supervise Dushaun Morris, Plaintiff has been damaged. Plaintiff’s costs of medical treatment and injuries exceed the threshold under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2. Mr. O’Riley has a permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment, permanent psychiatric disability that significantly impacts his life as well as medical treatment expenses in excess of $3,600 related to the defendant’s actions/inactions. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against all above-named Defendants for compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. FOURTH COUNT 40. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 41. Defendants, University Hospital and Rutgers University, negligence, gross negligence, and/or reckless conduct in failing to properly or adequately train Dushaun Morris as an employee, agent, and/or representative directly and proximately caused Plaintiff to be subjected to the conduct described above. Defendants owed the aforementioned duties to Plaintiff and breached that duty. 42. As a proximate result of the aforementioned negligent training by Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University, and acts and omissions set forth herein, Plaintiff has sustained damages and will, in the future, continue to suffer. Plaintiff’s costs of medical treatment and injuries exceed the threshold under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2. Mr. O’Riley has a permanent loss of a ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 18 10 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 LCV20232483762 bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment, permanent psychiatric disability that significantly impacts his life as well as medical treatment expenses in excess of $3,600 related to the defendant’s actions/inactions. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against all above-named Defendants for compensatory damages attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. FIFTH COUNT 43. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 44. As parties dealing with the public, Defendants State of New Jersey, University Hospital and Rutgers University were bound to use reasonable care in providing adequate security and/or protection protocols as to provide protection to individuals using the services of said Defendants. Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff and breached that duty. 45. Accordingly, Defendants State of New Jersey, University Hospital and Rutgers University owed Plaintiff a duty to use reasonable care in implementing adequate security and/or protection protocols that would properly provide protection to any individual utilizing the Defendants’ services, such as Mr. O’Riley. Defendants’ actions were palpably unreasonable. 46. Defendants, State of New Jersey, University Hospital and Rutgers University, failed to exercise reasonable care in implementing and/or providing adequate security and/or protection protocols on the premises in an effort to protect individuals, such as Mr. O’Riley, from foreseeable assault by others. Mr. O’Riley was an extremely vulnerable patient in the psychiatric unit of the hospital and the Defendants owed him a heightened duty to ensure his safety. 47. By negligently failing to provide adequate security and/or protection protocols, ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 19 11 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 LCV20232483762 Defendants State of New Jersey, University Hospital and Rutgers University created a foreseeable risk of harm and unnecessarily exposed Plaintiff to a risk of loss and injuries and have therefore breached their duty of care to Plaintiff. Defendants deviated from the applicable standard of medical care in the protection of Mr. O’Riley. 48. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of the Defendants, Plaintiff has been damaged. Mr. O’Riley has a permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment, permanent psychiatric disability that significantly impacts his life as well as medical treatment expenses in excess of $3,600 related to the defendant’s actions/inactions. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against all above-named Defendants, for compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. SIXTH COUNT 49. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 50. As parties dealing with the public, Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University were bound to use reasonable care in selecting employees, agents, and/or representatives competent and fit for the work assigned to them and to refrain from retaining the services of unfit employees, agents, and/or representatives. 51. Accordingly, University Hospital and Rutgers University owed a duty to Plaintiff to use due care and circumspection when investigating the credentials of and ultimately hiring its employees or representatives that dealt with the Plaintiff at Defendant’s behest. 52. Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University knew or should have ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 20 12 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 LCV20232483762 known that Allied Universal Security Services was unfit for the task to which Defendant hired said company to accomplish. 53. Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University knew or had reason to know of the particular unfitness or incompetence of Allied Universal Security Services and additionally could reasonably have foreseen that such characteristics created a risk of harm to the general public, such as the Plaintiff. 54. By contracting with Allied Universal Security Services, Defendants University Hospital and Rutgers University unnecessarily exposed Plaintiff to a risk of loss and injuries and have therefore breached their duty of care to Plaintiff. 55. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of the Defendants, Plaintiff have been damaged. Mr. O’Riley has a permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment, permanent psychiatric disability that significantly impacts his life as well as medical treatment expenses in excess of $3,600 related to the defendant’s actions/inactions. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against all above-named Defendants for compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. SEVENTH COUNT 56. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 57. Defendant Allied Universal Security Services was bound to use reasonable care in selecting employees, agents, and/or representatives competent and fit for the work assigned to them and to refrain from retaining the services of an unfit employee, agent, and/or representative. ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 21 13 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 LCV20232483762 58. Accordingly, Defendant Allied Universal Security Services owed a duty to Plaintiff to use due care and circumspection when investigating the credentials of and ultimately hiring its employees or representatives that dealt with the Plaintiff at Defendant’s behest. 59. Defendant Allied Universal Security Services knew or should have known that Mark Bailey or its other employees working at Defendant University Hospital was unfit for the task to which Defendant assigned said individual. Defendants State of New Jersey, University Hospital and Rutgers University are responsible for its security contractor that it hired as they have non-delegable duty to provide adequate security in the hospital. 60. Defendant Allied knew or had reason to know of the particular unfitness or incompetence of the aforesaid employees, agents, and/or representatives and could reasonably have foreseen that such characteristics created a risk of harm to the general public, such as the Plaintiff. 61. Defendant Allied Universal Security Services unnecessarily exposed Plaintiff to a risk of loss and injuries by hiring Mark Bailey and other employees working at University Hospital and have therefore breached their duty of care to Plaintiff by hiring employees, agents, and/or representatives who recklessly and negligently acted or failed to act in preventing the attack on Mr. O’Riley. Defendant Allied Universal Security Services owed a duty to plaintiff and breached that duty. 62. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of the Defendants, Plaintiff has sustained permanent damage, injury and loss. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against all named Defendants for compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 22 14 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 LCV20232483762 EIGTH COUNT 63. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 64. Defendant Allied Universal Security Services had a duty of care to Plaintiff to supervise employees properly and in the best interest of vulnerable patients of University Hospital such as Mr. O’Riley. 65. At the time of Defendant’s acts and omissions, the Defendant failed and/or neglected to exercise any control or supervision over Defendant’s employees, agents, or representatives. 66. Upon information and belief, no means were in place to detect misconduct or to protect the Plaintiff. Defendants State of New Jersey, University Hospital and Rutgers University are responsible for its security contractor that it hired as they have non-delegable duty to provide adequate security in the hospital. 67. Defendant knew or had reason to suspect that Mark Bailey and its other employees were negligent and reckless in handling the responsibilities of his position and was otherwise unfit to perform the duties of his position. Defendant recklessly and negligently neglected their duty to patients such as Mr. O’Riley by willfully and/or negligently failing to supervise Mark Bailey. 68. It was foreseeable that Defendant’s conduct as described and complained of herein, would result in harm to Plaintiff and ultimately cause damage to Mr. O’Riley. As a result, thereof, Plaintiff have in fact been damaged. 69. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of the Defendant, Plaintiff has sustained permanent injury, damage and loss. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendant, Allied Universal ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 23 15 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305 LCV20232483762 Security Services, for compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. NINTH COUNT 70. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 71. Defendant, Allied Universal Security Services, negligence, gross negligence, and/or reckless conduct in failing to properly or adequately train Defendant Mark Bailey and its other employees working at University Hospital as an employee, agent, and/or representative, directly and proximately caused Plaintiff to be subjected to the conduct described above. 72. As a proximate result of the aforementioned negligent training by Defendant Allied Universal Security Services, and acts and omissions set forth herein, Plaintiff have sustained damages and will, in the future, continue to suffer. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgments against Defendant Allied Universal Security Services, for compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit, and any other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. TENTH COUNT 73. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every prior paragraph of the Complaint as if set forth herein. 74. Defendant Allied Universal Security Services engaged other employees or individuals, including but not limited to Mark Bailey and John Does 1-100 to deal directly with the public at large in providing security services. 75. Defendant Allied Universal Security Services is liable for the actions of its employees/agents under respondeat superior. Accordingly, Allied Universal Security Services is ESX-L-005607-23 11/06/2023 08/30/2023 1:11:38 1:35:14 PM Pg 24 16 of 34 23 Trans ID: LCV20233307305