Michael W. Martin was quoted in The Record about nurse Kaci Hickox’s lawsuit against New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former state Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd, and several other state health department officials, arguing her earlier quarantine violated her constitutional rights by holding her without due process.
“It’s a fascinating case: It’s not easy for the plaintiff, yet there are complications for the defendant as well,” said Michael W. Martin, an expert on civil rights law and a professor at Fordham University School of Law.
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“Qualified immunity exists because we don’t want our public officials making decisions in the moment and being held liable for things that were vague or unclear in that moment,” Martin said. “It’s designed to prevent people from using the courts as a form of Monday morning quarterbacking.”
