Press Release - Ex-Student Wins $2M Verdict Against UMDNJ
For more information, contact:
Charles Z. Schalk (908) 526-0707
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 21, 2011
EX- STUDENT WINS $2 MILLION VERDICT AGAINST UMDNJ
An Essex County jury today returned a more than $2 million verdict for a former UMDNJ student wrongfully expelled from dental school, in a case brought by Charles Z. Schalk, a partner with Mauro, Savo, Camerino, Grant & Schalk, P.A.
The jury awarded $2 million in total economic loss and $25,000 for emotional distress to Jason Vladimer, who was a top academic student in UMDNJ’s dental program and just months short of graduation when he was arbitrarily expelled from the school in 2009, without being given notice of or a fair hearing on charges brought against him by UMDNJ personnel.
After a three-week trial before Judge Dennis Carey in Essex County Superior Court, the jury found both UMDNJ and several of its top administrators violated Vladimer’s constitutional right to due process, Schalk said. Testimony indicated that UMDNJ deans and professors had various versions of the reasons for Vladimer’s expulsion, and that he was not notified of or given an opportunity to explain his actions or defend himself against various charges made against him, Schalk said.
Vladimer was one of two students nationwide to be accepted into a specialized post-graduate program leading to a lucrative peridontal career. As a result of the expulsion from UMDNJ, Vladimer was forced to give up on that career and is now pursuing graduate studies in another field.
In addition to the damages award, the court will also be considering whether to award attorneys fees against the defendants for their violations of Vladimer’s state and federal constitutional rights, Schalk said.
Defendants were represented by William F. Maderer of Saiber, LLC.
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Charles Z. Schalk (908) 526-0707
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 21, 2011
EX- STUDENT WINS $2 MILLION VERDICT AGAINST UMDNJ
An Essex County jury today returned a more than $2 million verdict for a former UMDNJ student wrongfully expelled from dental school, in a case brought by Charles Z. Schalk, a partner with Mauro, Savo, Camerino, Grant & Schalk, P.A.
The jury awarded $2 million in total economic loss and $25,000 for emotional distress to Jason Vladimer, who was a top academic student in UMDNJ’s dental program and just months short of graduation when he was arbitrarily expelled from the school in 2009, without being given notice of or a fair hearing on charges brought against him by UMDNJ personnel.
After a three-week trial before Judge Dennis Carey in Essex County Superior Court, the jury found both UMDNJ and several of its top administrators violated Vladimer’s constitutional right to due process, Schalk said. Testimony indicated that UMDNJ deans and professors had various versions of the reasons for Vladimer’s expulsion, and that he was not notified of or given an opportunity to explain his actions or defend himself against various charges made against him, Schalk said.
Vladimer was one of two students nationwide to be accepted into a specialized post-graduate program leading to a lucrative peridontal career. As a result of the expulsion from UMDNJ, Vladimer was forced to give up on that career and is now pursuing graduate studies in another field.
In addition to the damages award, the court will also be considering whether to award attorneys fees against the defendants for their violations of Vladimer’s state and federal constitutional rights, Schalk said.
Defendants were represented by William F. Maderer of Saiber, LLC.
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