An article co-authored by Greenbaum attorneys John Zen Jackson and Madeline B. Gayle, recently published in the Widener Law Review, reviews the tragic circumstances surrounding Charles Cullen, the killer nurse who became known as the “Angel of Death” following the discovery of his role in the deaths of between 40 and 400 patients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  Limited pre-employment vetting and background checks combined with the lack of thorough investigations of suspicious circumstances allowed Cullen to change employment at several healthcare institutions without detection for approximately 15 years until his arrest in 2003. The article examines the ensuing litigation, as well as New Jersey’s legislative response which included the enactment of laws imposing a duty to disclose medical errors and report misconduct as well as an obligation on the part of healthcare entities to provide and obtain meaningful background and performance information concerning prospective employees. Mr. Jackson and Ms. Gayle also evaluate the limitations and unintended consequences of the Health Care Professional Responsibility and Reporting Enhancement Act (HCPRREA), also known as the Cullen Law.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of John Zen Jackson John Zen Jackson

Of Counsel, Healthcare and Litigation Departments

Mr. Jackson’s healthcare practice emphasizes litigated matters in judicial and administrative forums, including professional liability claims, licensure and credentialing issues with administrative agencies and health care entities, reimbursement and insurance fraud disputes. He is Certified by the…

Of Counsel, Healthcare and Litigation Departments

Mr. Jackson’s healthcare practice emphasizes litigated matters in judicial and administrative forums, including professional liability claims, licensure and credentialing issues with administrative agencies and health care entities, reimbursement and insurance fraud disputes. He is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney and has extensive experience in trying jury cases to a verdict.

In addition to trying numerous individual medical liability cases for a variety of healthcare providers, Mr. Jackson was lead defense counsel for a group of New Jersey plastic surgeons sued in connection with the silicone gel breast implant litigation, and has been involved in a number of high-profile mass tort litigation programs for medical devices or healthcare products, including pedicle screws, diet drugs, and Rezulin.

Beyond trial advocacy, Mr. Jackson is an experienced appellate litigator. He served as defense counsel in the New Jersey Supreme Court cases limiting the liability of physicians for suspected exposure to the HIV-virus, and for alleged lack of informed consent regarding abortion procedures. Mr. Jackson has served as amicus counsel for the Medical Society of New Jersey, the American Medical Association, and the New Jersey Hospital Association in appellate matters before the New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Division. He has been involved in numerous reported opinions.

Mr. Jackson has handled a variety of commercial litigation issues as well as the defense of qui tam actions under the Federal False Claims Act and insurance coverage and insurance fraud cases. He has represented clients in professional licensure and hospital privilege disputes before state administrative bodies and hospital credentialing committees as well as judicial review through the New Jersey Supreme Court. He has additional experience as a hearing officer for hospital privilege disputes.

Mr. Jackson is the author of over 80 published articles in medical and legal publications on a broad range of healthcare, tort liability and trial technique topics. He has been a member of the Editorial Board of MDAdvisor, a peer-reviewed journal for the New Jersey medical community, since its inception in 2007.

Contact information:

jjackson@greenbaumlaw.com | 732.476.3336 | vCard

For more information visit the Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP website.

Photo of Madeline B. Gayle Madeline B. Gayle

Associate, Litigation Department

Ms. Gayle assists in the firm’s representation of clients in litigation matters, including research and analysis of case law, statutes and legislative history related to various areas of the law. Her experience encompasses drafting of legal memoranda and briefs. She…

Associate, Litigation Department

Ms. Gayle assists in the firm’s representation of clients in litigation matters, including research and analysis of case law, statutes and legislative history related to various areas of the law. Her experience encompasses drafting of legal memoranda and briefs. She provides support in all aspects of the litigation discovery process, including drafting document requests and oversight of document production protocols. She also provides support during trials and in all phases of trial preparation.

Contact information:

mgayle@greenbaumlaw.com | 732.476.2568 | vCard | LinkedIn

For more information visit the Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP website.