Covid-19 Death Suit Ends Against NJ, Proceeds Against Facility

The estate of an acute care facility resident can’t sue New Jersey officials for violating her civil rights through health mandates issued at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that the estate partially blamed for her death.

The US District Court for the District of New Jersey dismissed state officials from a lawsuit alleging that they violated Frances DeRosa’s right to life when they ordered acute care facilities to admit or readmit patients regardless of whether they’d tested positive for Covid-19. The order also prohibited facilities from requiring Covid-19 testing before admission.

The officials had qualified immunity from suit because ...