New Jersey Lawyers BlogNew Jersey Appeals Court Clarifies Identification of Violated Regulations Required under Whistleblower Law
Background
John Sloan was an employee of Cape Regional Medical Center and Cape Regional Health System, Inc. (collectively “Cape”), from February 2018 until October 2020, serving as director of plant operations. His duties included making sure that the facility’s maintenance, repair and safety systems were in compliance with their legal requirements.
Sloan made complaints to his supervisors that defendants had not complied with fire-safety regulations by failing to inspect fires extinguishers, exit lights and sprinkler systems (the “fire
complaints”), particularly during the increased patient load and decreased staffing caused by Covid. He also complained about the temperature and humidity levels in the operating rooms and electrical work in the sewage ejector pit (“the safety complaints”). He alleged that he was told to ignore the violations and threatened with discipline if he did not, and that he was yelled at and false accusations were made about his work performance. Eventually he was fired on October 16, 2020. He claimed that he was terminated in retaliation for his complaints about the defendants’ legal and regulatory violations.
government. She worked closely with the Department’s supervisors. Clients were sent by Department to the Center. The Center would assign clients to Bodner. She assessed clients to see if they had substance abuse issues and if so to recommend the appropriate level of care, and report them to the case workers. She would conference cases with Department case workers.