SYLLABUS

(This syllabus is not part of the opinion of the Court. It has been prepared by the Office of the Clerk for the convenience of the reader. It has been neither reviewed nor approved by the Supreme Court. Please note that, in the interests of brevity, portions of any opinion may not have been summarized).

Barbara Basil, etc. v. Frank A. Wolf, et al. (A-80-05/A-110-06)

Argued September 11, 2006 -- Reargued May 1, 2007 – Decided December 11, 2007

PER CURIAM

In this matter, the Court considers whether the trial court erred in dismissing on summary judgment all claims, including for medical malpractice and negligent hiring, filed in a common law action by the wife and the estate of the decedent (Estate) against the compensation carrier for the decedent's employer.

John Basil was the Branch Manager at Jasper Engines and Transmission Company (Jasper) in Fairfield, New Jersey, when he was injured in September 1996. Basil experienced pulling in the anterior, inferior and medial right rib cage close to the sternum. On the day of the injury, Basil went to his chiropractor for treatment. About a week later, Basil felt a "ball or knot" in the area that caused sharp pain. Basil's chiropractor treated him until November 1996, by which time he had improved to the point of experiencing only sporadic pain.