Claims against public entities in New Jersey often involve injuries that occurred on public property. A public entity is responsible for injuries caused by the condition of its property if
- The property was dangerous at the time of the accident
- Your injury was caused by the dangerous condition
- It was reasonably foreseeable that the dangerous condition might cause your kind of injury
- The entity/employee created the dangerous condition — or at least knew about it (or should have known) and had reasonable time to fix it
If you have been seriously injured and are considering filing a claim against a public entity in New Jersey, you should know that State law imposes special time limits and procedures for pursuing these types of claims.
First, you must file a formal notice of your intention to sue. You must file such notice within 90 days from the date on which you were injured. (Or, if you were a minor at the time, you can file within 90 days of your 18th birthday.) Failure to file the notice on time will bar your lawsuit forever. For a tort claim notice against the State of NJ, click here to view New Jersey’s “Notice of Claim Instructions”.
This form is for the State of New Jersey. Each individual municipality may have its own form, but the required contents of the notices would be similar to, if not identical to, those requested in the State form. You can contact the individual municipality directly for their form.
In addition to the formal notice, you must also send a certified letter to any public party that may share in the liability for your injuries. This includes county, municipal, and state agencies, as well as their employees. The certified letter must include all of the following:
- Your name and address
- The date, location, and circumstances of your injury
- A general description of your injuries and/or the losses you have incurred as a result
- Names of the public agencies/employees allegedly at fault for your injuries or damages (if known)
- An estimate of the cost of your injuries and the resulting losses, including estimated future expenses
Once your lawsuit is settled or a court ruling is reached, you will no longer be able to pursue additional claims against those same entities/employees for the same injury.
Getting Help with Your Claim Against a Public Entity
If you are considering a claim against a public entity in New Jersey, it can be intimidating. It is important to have an experienced NJ attorney by your side to guide you through the process and fight on your behalf.
In Litigation, You Don’t Get a Second Chance. That’s why it is important to make sure your legal representation has the experience, credentials, and track record to provide you with the highest quality of legal services available. Your case matters! Make sure you Select Excellence.
At Petro Cohen, P.C., our personal injury attorneys have successfully handled many claims against public entities throughout Southern New Jersey and will work hard on your behalf to ensure you get the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve for your serious injury. Susan Petro, who heads the PI department and is also the Managing Partner of the firm, along with Rich Gaeckle and Mike Veneziani, will handle your personal injury case, fighting for full and fair compensation in every case they handle.
PI Attorney Richard Gaeckle has also been recognized by NJ Super Lawyers as a Rising Star (2007, 2009-2016) and holds an AV Preeminent rating from the world’s leading lawyer referral service, Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Gaeckle also received the New Jersey Law Journal New Leader of the Bar Award in 2012. Additionally, Petro Cohen law firm was named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms in America® list in New Jersey for Personal Injury in 2017.
You can rest assured that the attorneys at Petro Cohen, P.C. will handle your personal injury needs with the dedication, respect, and focus you should expect from your legal representation. Our trained attorneys and staff take the time to carefully listen to your individual story, working hard to obtain settlements for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, and to help bring you closure. We have handled thousands of personal injury cases with successful outcomes for our clients, and know how best to address the challenges and frustrations often encountered in litigated matters.
For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call us at 888-675-7606 or click on Live Chat to consult with someone immediately. Let our attorneys work with you to help ensure your forms and claims are filed on time and properly, and to be by your side every step of the way throughout the process of your claim. The Petro Cohen team is here to help you!
