Hofstra University: Seeks Dismissal in Bar Exam Cardiac Arrest Suit

On October 16, 2026, Hofstra University filed a motion in a New York trial court in Nassau County, New York, seeking to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Mary Jane Jung, a July 2025 bar candidate who suffered cardiac arrest while taking the bar exam at the university, arguing that it owed no legal duty to provide first aid assistance to the plaintiff.

This case raises critical questions about the scope of duty owed by institutions hosting high-stakes examinations, particularly concerning the welfare of non-student examinees experiencing medical emergencies on their premises. The outcome could establish a significant precedent impacting the responsibilities of test centers, universities, and other entities that provide venues for professional licensing exams, potentially clarifying the extent of a landowner's duty beyond merely maintaining safe premises to actively intervening in medical crises for non-invitees or licensees.

The legal context for this dispute revolves around New York premises liability law and the concept of legal duty. Hofstra University's argument hinges on the assertion that while it has a duty as a landowner to maintain safe property, this does not extend to providing first aid to a non-student experiencing a medical emergency, especially given that Mary Jane Jung was not a Hofstra student. The plaintiff, Mary Jane Jung, is suing both Hofstra University and the State of New York, which administers the bar exam, suggesting claims of negligence or failure to act. The court will need to determine if a special relationship existed or if the circumstances created an affirmative duty to render aid, considering the high-stakes nature of the exam and the vulnerability of examinees.

The key parties involved are Hofstra University, which is seeking dismissal of the lawsuit, Mary Jane Jung, the bar candidate who suffered the medical emergency, and the State of New York, which administers the bar exam and is also a defendant in the suit. The New York trial court in Nassau County is the forum where this legal question is being adjudicated. Bloomberg Law provided coverage of this developing story.

Attorneys advising educational institutions, test administrators, and event venues in New York should closely monitor the outcome of this case, as it will provide crucial guidance on the extent of their legal duties to individuals on their premises, particularly non-students or non-employees, who experience medical emergencies. It may necessitate a comprehensive review of existing policies, emergency response protocols, and liability waivers to mitigate potential risks and ensure compliance with evolving legal standards regarding the duty to render aid in such critical situations.