Mary Lou Rhines, as Guardian Ad Litem for Cheryl Rhines vs. State of New Jersey

Case Background

On July 8, 2022, Plaintiff Mary Lou Rhines, as Guardian Ad Litem for Cheryl Rhines, filed a police negligence and civil rights lawsuit in the Superior Court of Essex County, New Jersey (Case Number: ESX-L-580-19).

Cause

In October 2017, a Jersey City resident, Cheryl Rhines drove to work when she suddenly felt ill and pulled over on a highway in Newark. New Jersey State Trooper Jennifer Albuja responded to the scene but misinterpreted Rhines’ condition. She failed to recognize the signs of a medical emergency and instead assumed intoxication. Rhines could not respond to commands, communicate clearly, or stand upright. Despite these symptoms, Albuja did not consider a stroke and ignored the possibility of a serious health crisis.

The officer found no smell of alcohol or visible signs of drug use. Rhines, dressed in business attire at 8 a.m. on a weekday, had no prior offenses. However, Trooper Albuja still denied her immediate medical care. Instead, she unlawfully searched Rhines’ vehicle and transported her to the Somerville police station. This incident of police negligence caused devastating consequences.

Injuries

The delay in medical attention led to severe brain damage from the stroke. At the police station, officers left Rhines shackled on the floor for two and a half hours before finally calling EMTs. Paramedics transported her to the hospital, where she remained for nearly two weeks. Afterward, she spent another month in intensive rehabilitation.

The stroke caused global aphasia, a severe language disorder that left Rhines unable to speak or understand others. This permanent brain injury destroyed her independence. She lost her career as an event planner and had to move to Nashville to live with her mother. The wrongful arrest and failure to recognize her stroke worsened her prognosis, leaving her unable to function without full-time care.

Damages

The botched police response caused irreversible damage to Rhines’ health, career, and quality of life. Once an independent professional, she could no longer work or care for herself. The stroke left her unable to communicate, devastating her personal relationships and mental well-being. Police negligence directly contributed to her lifelong disabilities. The delay in medical treatment worsened her stroke, leading to permanent cognitive and speech impairments. Simple daily activities became impossible without assistance.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Mary Lou Rhines, as Guardian Ad Litem for Cheryl Rhines
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Dennis M. Donnelly
  • Defendant(s): State of New Jersey |  New Jersey State Police | Trooper J.M. Albuja | John Doe (1-10)
    • Counsel for Defendants: Attorney General of Law

Claims

Rhines’ attorney, Dennis M. Donnelly, filed a lawsuit against the New Jersey State Police. The case alleged negligence, wrongful detention, police misconduct, and failure to provide timely medical assistance. The lawsuit argued that Trooper Albuja and other officers recklessly disregarded Rhines’ health and safety. Instead of recognizing a medical emergency, they assumed criminality.

Donnelly attributed their actions to a “militaristic, us-versus-them” mentality within law enforcement. He stated that officers treated a stroke victim as a criminal rather than a citizen in distress. Their wrongful arrest and neglect directly contributed to Rhines’ suffering.

Defense

The defense argued that Trooper Albuja acted reasonably based on the situation she encountered. They claimed that Rhines’ inability to speak clearly, stand upright, or follow commands raised legitimate concerns about drug or alcohol impairment. The defense insisted that Albuja followed standard procedures by securing the scene, searching Rhines’ vehicle, and transporting her for further evaluation.

They denied any deliberate neglect of Rhines’ medical needs. Officers, lacking medical expertise, failed to recognize her stroke symptoms but followed protocol for handling impaired drivers. Once they noticed signs of distress, they called emergency medical services. The defense maintained that officers acted in good faith and did not intentionally harm Rhines.

Furthermore, they argued that the delay in treatment did not directly cause her permanent injuries. They claimed that her stroke, not police misconduct, resulted in long-term disabilities. The defense sought to dismiss the negligence and wrongful arrest claims, stating that officers made decisions based on their training and available information.

Jury Verdict

On January 29, 2025, the jury initially awarded Cheryl Rhines $19.1 million for medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and lost income. However, after reviewing the evidence, they determined that 60% of her disabilities resulted from the delayed medical response. They found that the stroke itself, which Trooper Albuja did not cause, accounted for the remaining 40%. As a result, the jury reduced the award by 40%, lowering the final verdict to $11.5 million.

 

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com