Janelle Brugaletta v. Calixto Garcia, D.O. , 448 N.J. Super. 404 ( 2017 )

RECORD IMPOUNDED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-4342-15T1
JANELLE BRUGALETTA,
APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION
Plaintiff-Respondent,
February 6, 2017
v. APPELLATE DIVISION
CALIXTO GARCIA, D.O.,
STEVEN D. RICHMAN, M.D. and
PATRICK J. HINES, M.D.,
Defendants,
and
CHILTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL,
Defendant-Appellant.
___________________________________
Argued December 6, 2016 – Decided February 6, 2017
Before Judges Fisher, Ostrer and Vernoia.
On appeal from an interlocutory order of the
Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division,
Passaic County, Docket No. L-112-15.
Anthony Cocca argued the cause for appellant
(Bubb, Grogan & Cocca, LLP, attorneys; Mr.
Cocca, of counsel and on the briefs; Katelyn
E. Cutinello, on the briefs).
Ernest P. Fronzuto argued the cause for
respondent (Fronzuto Law Group, attorneys;
Mr. Fronzuto and Casey Anne Cordes, on the
brief).
The opinion of the court was delivered by
OSTRER, J.A.D.
This medical malpractice case involves the Patient Safety
Act (the Act), N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.23 to -12.25, which creates an
absolute privilege over certain documents that a hospital
develops as part of a self-critical analysis. See N.J.S.A.
26:2H-12.25(g). The trial court compelled defendant Chilton
Medical Center (Chilton)1 to disclose to plaintiff, Janelle
Brugaletta, a redacted report containing Chilton's self-critical
analysis of Brugaletta's care. The court ordered disclosure
because it found: (1) Brugaletta had suffered a "serious
preventable adverse event" (SPAE), see N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(a);
and (2) Chilton failed to report the SPAE to the New Jersey
Department of Health (the Department) or to Brugaletta, as the
Act required. See N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(c), -12.25(d).
By leave granted, Chilton appeals from the court's order.
Chilton disputes the court's finding that Brugaletta suffered a
SPAE and contends the court erred in compelling it to report the
SPAE to the Department and Brugaletta. More importantly,
Chilton argues the Act's absolute privilege over a self-critical
analysis may not be pierced based on a failure to report a SPAE.
1
Plaintiff denominated defendant as "Chilton Memorial Hospital"
in her complaint. Chilton answered the complaint in the name of
"AHS Hospital Corp./Children Medical Center."
2 A-4342-15T1
Rather, Chilton contends the privilege is conditioned solely on
compliance with statutory and regulatory mandates governing the
formation of a patient safety plan and related procedural
requirements. See N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(b).
We agree the privilege does not depend on compliance with
the requirement to report a SPAE to the Department or the
patient. We therefore reverse the trial court's order
compelling partial release of a document revealing Chilton's
privileged self-critical analysis. We also reverse the finding
that there was a reportable SPAE because the finding lacked
sufficient credible evidence in the record.
I.
In the underlying malpractice action, Brugaletta alleges
she arrived at Chilton's emergency room on January 20, 2013,
complaining of abdominal pain and a fever that had persisted for
seven days. A twenty-three-year-old college student, she also
complained of bodyaches, weakness, and a cough "productive of
. . . thick phlegm." Her initial diagnosis was pneumonia.
After she was admitted, she continued to complain of abdominal
pain. A CT scan of her abdomen and pelvis was performed the day
after she arrived at the hospital. It revealed a pelvic abscess
that "most probably" resulted from a perforated appendix,
according to one physician's report.
3 A-4342-15T1
A large amount of purulent fluid2 was drained through the
right ischial fossa.3 Although her abdominal symptoms soon
improved, she developed fasciitis4 in the right thigh and right
buttock muscle. One physician stated the fasciitis resulted
from "the leakage of the drainage around the [ischial] nerve."
Beginning January 23, 2013, Brugaletta underwent multiple
debridements5 of the thigh and buttock muscles. She also had an
appendectomy. In the midst of those repeated procedures,
Brugaletta missed doses of a post-operation antibiotic despite a
physician's orders, which were recorded in his January 30, 2013
progress note.6 When Brugaletta was finally discharged on
2
"Purulent fluid" is fluid that contains pus. Stedman's Medical
Dictionary 1607 (28th ed. 2006).
3
The "ischial fossa" refers to a space between muscle and skin
in the pelvic region. See Stedman's, supra, 765.
4
"Fasciitis" refers to an inflammation of a particular kind of
tissue that covers the body below the skin. Stedman's, supra,
700, 706.
5
A "debridement" is a procedure whereby "devitalized tissue and
foreign matter" are removed from a wound. Stedman's, supra,
496. The post-operative notes of January 23, 2013 reported
"abundant dead fascia."
6
We note that plaintiff does not address this oversight in her
complaint, nor is it clear from the limited record before us
that plaintiff is aware of it. The oversight is documented in
the non-privileged chart. Although Chilton disclosed the
document to the trial court as part of its ex parte submission,
Chilton recognized that the document is not privileged and was
included among its voluminous document production to Brugaletta.
4 A-4342-15T1
February 13, 2013, she was still suffering from severe pain; she
was instructed to use a walker or a person to assist her; and
she was prescribed pain medication and intravenous antibiotics
for administration at home.
In her initial complaint, Brugaletta alleged that Chilton
and various providers negligently diagnosed and treated her
condition. In particular, she highlighted the delay in
diagnosing her "ruptured appendix and pelvic abscess." In her
first amended complaint, she added that physicians negligently
failed to detect a second abscess on her CT imaging.
In response to Brugaletta's discovery demands, Chilton
identified but withheld as privileged the document at issue in
this case. Described as an "Event Detail History with all
Tasks," Chilton asserted it was privileged pursuant to the Act
and implementing regulations, as well as other grounds.7
Brugaletta sought to compel production, initially seeking the
court's in camera review. Chilton opposed and sought a
protective order. In support, Chilton submitted the
certification of Ebube Bakosi, M.D. the then-current chair of
7
Chilton asserted privilege over another document pursuant to
the Act and the common law "conditional privilege" as set forth
in Christy v. Salem, 366 N.J. Super. 535, 540-42 (App. Div.
2004). The court's order allowing Chilton to withhold that
document is not at issue in this appeal.
5 A-4342-15T1
Chilton's Preventable Events Review Committee (PERC), formerly
known as the Patient Safety Committee.
The trial court ordered the document's production for in
camera review. The court also permitted Chilton to file an ex
parte brief to present document-specific arguments against
disclosure. Upon review, the court found that Chilton prepared
the document, which the court marked as DCP-2, in accordance
with the procedural requirements of the Act and implementing
regulations. However, the court concluded that the document
revealed that Brugaletta had suffered a separate SPAE and
Chilton failed to report that SPAE to the Department or disclose
to Brugaletta.8
The court determined that when a hospital fails to report a
SPAE to the Department or a patient, the court is empowered to
compel it to do so. The court also concluded if the hospital's
reporting failure was arbitrary or capricious, then the hospital
shall lose its privilege under the Act. The court held that
when the hospital has erred in failing to report without acting
arbitrarily or capriciously, then a lesser remedy is
appropriate. Applying those standards, the court found that
8
Because we find DCP-2 is privileged and there is insufficient
evidence supporting the court's finding of a SPAE, we do not
detail the nature of the SPAE found by the court in order to
protect Chilton's privilege against disclosure of its self-
critical analysis.
6 A-4342-15T1
Chilton made a "clear error in judgment," but did not act
arbitrarily or capriciously. The court concluded under those
circumstances it was appropriate to release only the portion of
DCP-2 that described the SPAE, while redacting the balance.
Nonetheless, the portion to be disclosed still revealed aspects
of Chilton's self-critical analysis.
This appeal followed. Chilton contends the court erred in
compelling it to disclose DCP-2, albeit redacted. Chilton
argues that the court lacked authority to review its
determination that no SPAE occurred and to compel reporting;
and, in any event, neither the Act nor the implementing
regulations authorize the partial or total loss of the privilege
when a hospital fails to report a SPAE when required.
Brugaletta argues the trial court did not err, and its order
promotes compliance with the Act's reporting mandate.9
9
Brugaletta also contends the trial court erred in finding that
Chilton complied with the privilege's procedural prerequisites.
As a result, she contends not even a limited privilege existed
under the Act, and the discoverability of DCP-2 should have been
analyzed under Christy, supra, 366 N.J. Super. at 540-42.
However, in order to challenge the trial court's order,
Brugaletta was required to file a cross-appeal. See Franklin
Discount Co. v. Ford, 27 N.J. 473, 491 (1958) ("[A respondent],
in order to attack the actions below which were adverse to him,
must pursue a cross-appeal."); Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J.
Court Rules, comment 2 on R. 2:3-4 (2016) ("Ordinarily, a
respondent . . . must cross-appeal in order to obtain relief
from the judgment."). We therefore shall not reach the issue.
For the same reason, we shall not address her argument that she
(continued)
7 A-4342-15T1
II.
We review the trial court's discovery decision for an abuse
of discretion, but we shall not defer to the trial court's
decision if "based on a mistaken understanding of the applicable
law." C.A. ex rel Applegrad v. Bentolila, 219 N.J. 449, 459
(2014) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). We
review legal issues de novo, including the trial court's
interpretation of the Act. Ibid.
In interpreting the Act and effectuating the Legislature's
intent, we look first to the plain language, reading it as an
integrated whole. Id. at 459-60. "If the plain language is
clear, the court's task is complete." In re Kollman, 210 N.J.
557, 568 (2012). If it is unclear or ambiguous, we may resort
to extrinsic aids. Ibid. "It is not the function of [a]
[c]ourt to 'rewrite a plainly-written enactment of the
(continued)
was entitled to access Chilton's ex parte brief, the hearing
transcripts "placed on a sealed record," and the judge's sealed
statement of reasons for its order.
We also decline both parties' request that we endorse the
trial court's procedural measures for protecting the document's
confidentiality during its proceedings pending our review. The
court's thoughtfulness is evident. We also appreciate the
parties' desire for guidance. However, this aspect of the
matter is not disputed. It also is conceivable that in another
case and setting, a trial judge's exercise of discretion might
call for different measures. We therefore believe it is
inappropriate for us to reach the issue.
8 A-4342-15T1
Legislature []or presume that the Legislature intended something
other than that expressed by way of the plain language.'"
DiProspero v. Penn, 183 N.J. 477, 492 (2005) (quoting O'Connell
v. State, 171 N.J. 484, 488 (2002)). We respect, although we
are not bound by, an agency's statutory interpretation embodied
in its regulations. See Hargrove v. Sleepy's, L.L.C., 220 N.J.
289, 301-02 (2015); see also Mayflower Sec. Co. v. Bureau of
Sec., 64 N.J. 85, 93 (1972) (stating an appellate court is "in
no way bound by the agency's interpretation of a statute").
In this case, we do not write on a clean slate. The
Supreme Court in C.A. reviewed in detail the purpose, structure,
and meaning of the Act and its implementing regulations. C.A.,
supra, 219 N.J. at 460-68; see also Conn v. Rebustillo, 445 N.J.
Super. 349, 354-57 (App. Div. 2016). We shall not repeat that
analysis here.
We focus on distinct obligations the Act imposes on a
hospital: self-critical analysis and reporting. With respect to
self-critical analysis, a hospital must create a safety plan
establishing a dedicated patient safety committee. N.J.S.A.
26:2H-12.25(b). The purpose of such committees is, among other
things, to provide processes by which hospitals can conduct
analyses of harmful events and carry out root cause analyses for
all SPAEs. Ibid.; N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.4(d)(7). The reporting
9 A-4342-15T1
obligation involves two recipients: regulators and patients.
See N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(c) and N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.6 (requiring
reporting to the Department);10 N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(d) and
N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.7 (requiring disclosure to patient).
The definition of a "serious preventable adverse event" is
gleaned from the definitions of its constituent terms. An
"adverse event" is "a negative consequence of care that results
in unintended injury or illness." N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(a).
"Serious" means "result[ing] in death or loss of a body part, or
disability or loss of bodily function lasting more than seven
days or still present at the time of discharge from a health
care facility." Ibid. "Preventable" means "could have been
anticipated and prepared against, but occurs because of an error
or other system failure." Ibid.
To encourage compliance with the two obligations — self-
critical analysis and reporting — the Act creates a privilege.
"The Act attaches a privilege to specific information generated
by health care facilities in two distinct processes: the
reporting of adverse events to regulators [and patients], and
the investigative process that may or may not lead to such
10
The statute requires reporting to the Department of Human
Services in the case of State psychiatric hospitals. N.J.S.A.
26:2H-12.25(b). For simplicity's sake, we will refer only to
the Department.
10 A-4342-15T1
reporting." C.A., supra, 219 N.J. at 467. This evidentiary
privilege is broad: The covered items "shall not be . . .
subject to discovery or admissible as evidence or otherwise
disclosed in any civil, criminal, or administrative action or
proceeding . . . ." N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(f)(1), -12.25(g)(1).
The Act separately defines the privilege over reports
depending on their potential recipient. With respect to
reporting to regulators, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(f) creates a
privilege over "documents, materials, or information received by
[the Department] . . . pursuant to the provisions of subsections
c[, which relates to mandatory reporting of SPAEs], and e[],"
which relates to the voluntary reporting of non-SPAEs, that is,
"near-misses, preventable events, and adverse events that are
otherwise not subject to mandatory reporting pursuant to
subsection c[] . . . ." Regarding reporting to patients,
N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(g) creates a privilege over "any document
or oral statement that constitutes the disclosure provided to a
patient or the patient's family member or guardian pursuant to
subsection d[] of this section" pertaining to mandatory
reporting of SPAEs to patients.
At issue in this case is the privilege over self-critical
analysis. In addition to creating a privilege over SPAE reports
to patients, subsection (g) extends a privilege to "[a]ny
11 A-4342-15T1
documents, materials, or information developed by a health care
facility as part of a process of self-critical analysis
conducted pursuant to subsection b[] of this section concerning
preventable events, near-misses, and adverse events, including
[SPAEs] . . . ." (Emphasis added). Subsection (b) compels
hospitals to "develop and implement a patient safety plan," and
to do so "[i]n accordance with the requirements established by
the commissioner by regulation." N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(b). The
subsection does not refer to the obligation to report SPAEs.
That reporting obligation is imposed by N.J.S.A. 26:24-12.25(c).
Thus, the only statutory precondition of this self-critical
analysis privilege is compliance with subsection (b), pertaining
to safety plans. The plain language of subsection (g) does not
condition the privilege over self-critical analysis on
compliance with the reporting obligation. In other words, so
long as the self-critical analysis is conducted according to the
proper procedures as set forth in the hospital's safety plan, it
is protected.
Although the regulations clarify preconditions of the
privilege, they do not vary our conclusion that the privilege
over a self-critical analysis exists independent of compliance
with the reporting obligation. Specifically, N.J.A.C. 8:43E-
10.9(b) defines the privilege as covering "[d]ocuments,
12 A-4342-15T1
materials, and information (including RCAs [root cause analyses]
and minutes of meetings) developed by a health care facility
exclusively during the process of self-critical analysis, in
accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 concerning
preventable events, near-misses and adverse events, including
serious preventable adverse events . . . ." N.J.A.C. 8:43E-
10.9(b) (emphasis added); see also C.A., supra, 219 N.J. at 468.
Accordingly, the sole requirement for the privilege to apply
under subsection 10.9(b) is that the self-critical analysis be
undertaken according to the appropriate procedure.
The fact that the privilege is conditioned upon procedural
(and not substantive) concerns is further established by an
examination of the regulations cited by subsection 10.9(b). The
first of the three cited regulations, N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.4,
prescribes in greater detail than the Act the structure and
duties of a patient or resident safety committee. The second,
N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.5, specifies in detail the safety planning
obligation.
We recognize that the third, N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.6, addresses
in detail the obligation to report SPAEs to the Department,
N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.6(a)-(d), and specifies several categories of
SPAEs. N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.6(e)-(j). However, we do not construe
section 10.9 to mean that the self-critical analysis privilege
13 A-4342-15T1
depends on reporting SPAEs to the Department. Notably,
subsection 10.6(l) addresses the required contents of a root
cause analysis. We presume the reference in subsection 10.9(b)
to a self-critical analysis performed in accordance with section
10.6 was intended to require compliance with subsection 10.6(l).
In short, the relevance of the three regulations, including
section 10.6, is their impact on the manner in which self-
critical analyses are performed. They elaborate the "process of
self-critical analysis" cited in subsection 10.9(b).
Furthermore, were reporting SPAEs a condition of the self-
critical analysis privilege, N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.9(b) logically
would also have referred to a fourth regulation, N.J.A.C. 8:43E-
10.7, which details the obligation to report SPAEs to patients.
Omission of section 10.7 reflects the Department's view that
reporting SPAEs is not a precondition of the self-critical
analysis privilege. We have found nothing in the Department's
rulemaking record that would support a contrary conclusion. See
39 N.J.R. 314(a) (Feb. 5, 2007) (proposed rulemaking); 40 N.J.R.
1094(a) (March 3, 2008) (final adoption).
In C.A., the Court upheld a hospital's assertion of the
self-critical analysis privilege over a document pertaining to a
child born with anoxic brain injury. C.A., supra, 219 N.J. at
452-54. The Court held that the hospital complied with the
14 A-4342-15T1
Act's broad prerequisites set forth in N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(b).
Id. at 468-72. Since the hospital prepared the document before
the Department adopted its regulations, compliance with them was
not required. Id. at 468-69.
The Court expressly rejected a connection between complying
with the reporting obligation and the self-critical analysis
privilege. The hospital had decided that the treatment did not
result in a SPAE. Id. at 471. Significantly, our court found
that decision "debatable," and concluded the newborn suffered a
"potential" SPAE, and the hospital should have referred the
matter to its patient safety committee to determine whether it
was reportable. C.A. ex rel Applegrad v. Bentolila, 428 N.J.
Super. 115, 153-54 (App. Div. 2012), rev'd, 219 N.J. 449 (2014).
But the Supreme Court responded:
Contrary to the suggestion of the Appellate
Division panel, the Hospital's conclusion
that the event was not reportable does not
abrogate the statutory privilege. Nothing
in N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(g) limits the
privilege to settings in which the incident
is ultimately determined to be subject to
mandatory reporting under N.J.S.A. 26:2H-
12.25(c). The Patient Safety Act's
privilege is not constrained to cases in
which the deliberative process concludes
with a determination that the case is
reportable under N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(c).
[C.A., supra, 219 N.J. at 471 n.14.]
15 A-4342-15T1
In Conn, we emphasized the dichotomy between the two
obligations — reporting and self-critical analysis — and the
accompanying privileges. At issue was the privilege under
N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(f) governing reports to regulators. Conn,
supra, 445 N.J. Super. at 350-51. We rejected the suggestion
that the privilege depends on compliance with the safety
planning mandates of subsection (b). Id. at 357. Rather, the
privilege depended solely on whether the Department received the
documents pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(c) and (e), governing
mandatory and voluntary reporting to regulators. Ibid.
Applying this same dichotomy, Conn supports our conclusion that
the privilege over self-critical analysis as defined at N.J.S.A.
26:2H-12.25(g) does not depend on compliance with the mandatory
reporting requirement of N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(c).
Finally, we note that predicating the self-critical
analysis privilege on complying with the SPAE reporting
obligation could lead to a result that we doubt the Legislature
intended. We have in mind cases where a hospital denied that a
serious adverse event was preventable. In general, the
proponent of an evidentiary privilege must establish the
prerequisites of the privilege. See Horon Holding Corp. v.
McKenzie, 341 N.J. Super. 117, 125 (App. Div. 2001) (applying
attorney-client privilege). Thus, to assert the self-critical
16 A-4342-15T1
analysis privilege, the hospital would have to prove a serious
adverse result was not preventable if it did not report it. The
proofs would likely overlap with those relevant to the alleged
negligence in the underlying case. We doubt the Legislature
contemplated that a court would need to conduct such a mini-
trial in which the burdens are reversed in order to recognize
the self-critical analysis privilege.
In sum, the trial court erred in predicating the privilege
over a self-critical analysis on the hospital's compliance with
its obligation to report a SPAE to regulators or the patient.
III.
We must still consider whether the trial court erred in (1)
determining that Chilton violated its reporting obligation, and
(2) compelling it to report to the Department and Brugaletta.
The court predicated its order on its finding that Brugaletta
suffered a SPAE. We conclude that the finding lacked support of
sufficient evidence in the record. See Rova Farms Resort, Inc.
v. Investors Ins. Co. of Am., 65 N.J. 474, 484 (1974). We
therefore reverse the trial court's order compelling Chilton to
report.11
11
Given our disposition, we need not address three additional
questions that may be implicated by the court's order. First,
we need not decide the standard of review of a hospital's
determinations as to whether a SPAE has occurred and whether to
(continued)
17 A-4342-15T1
We may presume for purposes of our analysis that Brugaletta
suffered an "adverse event" consisting of the fasciitis of her
right lower extremity, which was a "negative consequence of care
that result[ed] in unintended injury or illness . . . ." See
N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(a); N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.3. We may also
presume it was serious if she suffered a "loss of a body part
. . . or loss of bodily function" for at least one week or at
the time of her discharge. See N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(a);
N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.3.
But the trial court did not identify record evidence for
the conclusion that this was a "preventable event" — that is, it
"could have been anticipated and prepared against, but
occur[red] because of an error or other system failure." See
(continued)
report it. Second, we do not address whether a plaintiff has a
private right of action to compel a hospital to fulfill its
reporting obligation, particularly as it relates to reporting to
regulators. See R.J. Gaydos Ins. Agency, Inc. v. Nat'l Consumer
Ins. Co., 168 N.J. 255, 271, 272 (2001) (noting that we have
"been reluctant to infer a statutory private right of action
where the Legislature has not expressly provided for such
action" and setting forth a test for ascertaining whether a
private right of action is implied). In this regard, we note
the Department is empowered to enforce the reporting requirement
by imposing penalties up to $100,000 on non-compliant general
hospitals. N.J.A.C. 8:43E-3.4(a)(14)(i). Third, we do not
reach the issue whether, based on principles of primary
jurisdiction, the agency, as opposed to the court, should decide
in the first instance whether a reportable SPAE has occurred.
See Smerling v. Harrah's Entm't, Inc., 389 N.J. Super. 181, 187
(App. Div. 2006); Muise v. GPU, Inc., 332 N.J. Super. 140, 158-
59 (App. Div. 2000).
18 A-4342-15T1
N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.25(a); N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.3. We emphasize one
of the three elements of a "preventable event" is the element of
causation. Not only must the event be one that a hospital could
have "anticipated and prepared against", and not only must there
be "an error or other system failure", but the event must occur
"because of" the error or system failure. N.J.S.A. 26:2H-
12.25(a); N.J.A.C. 8:43E-10.3.
The evidence does not support a finding that the causation
element was satisfied. The record clearly supports the trial
judge's finding there was an error in Brugaletta's care. We may
assume for argument's sake that the error could be "anticipated
and prepared against." However, the trial court does not rely
on an expert opinion to conclude that Brugaletta's serious
adverse event occurred "because of" that error. Under the facts
of this case, an expert opinion was essential. See Kelly v.
Berlin, 300 N.J. Super. 256, 268 (App. Div. 1997) ("[I]n
general, a jury should not be allowed to speculate without aid
of expert testimony in an area where laypersons could not be
expected to have sufficient knowledge or experience." (internal
quotation marks and citation omitted)). In its absence, the
court's conclusion that Brugaletta suffered a SPAE was not
supported by sufficient record evidence.
19 A-4342-15T1
In sum, the trial court erred in compelling Chilton to: (1)
disclose the redacted memorandum revealing its self-critical
analysis, and (2) report an alleged SPAE to the Department and
Brugaletta.
Reversed.
20 A-4342-15T1