Burned Woman Sues Bergen Hospital, Nursing Agency

HACKENSACK, NJ — The woman who was burned and assaulted by a contracted nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center earlier this year has sued the hospital and nursing agency, court records show.

Attorney Bruce Nagel filed the lawsuit on behalf of Maggie Cius, 54, of Hillside on Tuesday, court records show. Nagel claims the hospital, its staff, and the agency that hired the suspect did not properly protect her. He is demanding a jury trial on behalf of Cius and her husband, Charlemont Davis.

Cius is recovering from a head wound and third-degree burns after being attacked the morning of February 7 in a break room at the hospital.

The suspect, Nicholas Pagano, was an independent nurse contractor. Pagano was found dead in Camden County from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said at the time.

Cius "was caused to endure significant and permanent physical injuries, pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, and impairment," Nagel wrote.

The company Pagano worked for is named as ABC Corporation in the lawsuit. Pagano was not scheduled to work that day, the lawsuit states.

The nursing agency "failed to properly screen, hire train, and supervise its agents, servants and employees at the Property," Nagel wrote.