Briefly
Case Law

Hofstra University: NY Bar Exam Candidate Sues for Delayed Medical Help

United States·Above the Law·⏱️ 2 min readBriefly Analysis

Summary

  • A woman taking the New York bar exam suffered a cardiac arrest last July at Hofstra University.
  • The examinee was left with permanent damage, including memory loss and cognitive impairment, due to delays in receiving medical attention.
  • The lawsuit names Hofstra University as the defendant but excludes the bar examiners responsible for crafting and enforcing rules that prioritize the 'sanctity' of the exam.

What Happened

According to the lawsuit filed by Mary Jane Jung, every minute counted during this emergency.

Last July, a woman taking the New York bar exam suffered a cardiac arrest while seated among hundreds of other examinees at Hofstra University. The incident was witnessed by proctors and staff, who initially instructed everyone to remain in their seats and continue writing. However, it wasn't until later that medical help arrived, leaving the examinee with permanent damage, including memory loss and cognitive impairment. According to the lawsuit filed by Mary Jane Jung, a 2025 Fordham Law graduate, every minute counted during this emergency.

Legal Context

The lawsuit, filed in Nassau County Supreme Court last week, names Hofstra University as the defendant, citing delays in receiving medical attention. However, some observers have noted that the bar examiners themselves are not included in the suit, despite being responsible for crafting and enforcing rules that prioritize the 'sanctity' of the exam over examinee safety. This omission raises questions about accountability and the potential consequences for proctors who fail to intervene during emergencies.

Why It Matters

This case highlights the need for clearer protocols to ensure examinees' safety during high-stress exams like the bar exam. Lawyers advising clients on bar exam preparation should be aware of the potential for delays in receiving medical attention and consider advocating for more effective emergency response procedures. By doing so, they can help prevent avoidable harm and promote a safer testing environment.

Practical Implications

Lawyers advising clients on bar exam preparation should be aware of the potential for delays in receiving medical attention during exams and consider advocating for clearer protocols to ensure examinees' safety.

Source

Source: Original reporting via [Source]

AI Business Impact

How does this affect your business?

Get an AI analysis of this article grounded in your jurisdictions, practice areas, and any policy documents you've uploaded to Wansom.

Wansom is AI and can make mistakes.