Newark, N.J. — A federal judge dismissed a New Jersey man’s emotional distress lawsuit against Atlantic Health Systems after he claimed an employee mocked his speech impediment during a phone call tied to a traumatic brain injury-related stutter.
U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton issued the ruling Thursday in Newark federal court, addressing claims filed by plaintiff Paul Cuff against Atlantic Health Systems, Inc. The lawsuit centered on a March 16, 2025 phone conversation in which Cuff alleged an unnamed employee ridiculed his speech in front of other workers while knowing he had a medically connected speech defect.
Cuff argued the incident caused lasting psychological harm, emotional suffering, and ongoing medical treatment needs. The court reviewed the allegations as part of Atlantic Health’s motion to dismiss the complaint under federal civil procedure rules.
Lawsuit Claimed Emotional and Psychological Harm
According to court filings, Cuff alleged he was speaking with an unidentified Atlantic Health employee referred to in the complaint as “Robin Roe 1” when he overheard the employee mocking his stutter…