Negligent Hiring

The recent case of a nurse’s aide, Reta Mays, who received seven life in prison sentences in a situation eerily similar to that of Charles Cullen, a nurse that murdered an unknown number of people in hospitals across two states. At least seven vulnerable veterans were murdered by Mays at a Veterans Administration hospital. This case highlights the need for a thorough background investigation, particularly in sensitive industries.

The VA facility did not complete a background check on Mays, or other employees, prior to on boarding. An accident waiting to happen. Had a thorough background investigation been conducted, previous allegations of excessive force when Mays worked as a prison security officer would have been developed. Information that likely would have resulted in a decision to forgo hiring Ms. Mays.

The lack of a thorough pre-employment background investigation resulted in the death of seven people a due diligence catastrophe.