At Mandelbaum Barrett PC, our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience handling claims against public entities throughout New Jersey. We understand the intricate legal framework governing government liability and have successfully secured compensation for clients injured by municipal negligence, dangerous public property conditions, and governmental misconduct.

Claims Against Public Entities in New Jersey

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 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 written 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, 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, please contact our office immediately.

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 of New Jersey 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.

Types of Public Entity Cases

Public entities in New Jersey can be held liable for injuries caused by their negligent acts or dangerous conditions on public property. However, these cases are governed by the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, which provides certain protections to government entities while establishing specific procedures for filing claims.

Public entity liability cases can arise from various situations involving government negligence or dangerous conditions:

• Dangerous conditions on public sidewalks, roads, or parking areas
• Inadequate maintenance of public buildings and facilities
• Police misconduct and excessive force incidents
• Negligent operation of government vehicles
• Unsafe conditions in public parks and recreational facilities
• Inadequate security at public events or facilities
• Defective traffic signals or road design
• Slip and fall accidents on government property

These incidents often result from budget constraints, inadequate training, or failure to properly maintain public facilities and infrastructure.

Compensation Available in Public Entity Cases

Victims of public entity negligence may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability and impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life due to permanent injuries suffered from the incident. However, New Jersey law places certain caps on damages that can be recovered against public entities.

Our attorneys work diligently to ensure that our clients receive maximum compensation within the statutory limits while exploring all potential sources of recovery. In some cases, individual employees may also be held personally liable, providing additional avenues for full compensation.

We also assist clients in navigating insurance coverage issues and coordinating benefits to ensure that medical expenses are covered while pursuing your legal claim.

Hold a New Jersey Public Entity Responsible With a Mendelbaum Barrett PC Lawyer

Pursuing a claim against a government entity requires immediate action and knowledgeable legal representation. The complex procedural requirements and strict deadlines make it essential to have an attorney who understands the unique challenges of public entity litigation.

With decades of experience handling personal injury claims, our experienced attorneys include Certified Civil Trial Attorney Andrew Bronsnick and Co-Chair Joseph J. Peters. We have successfully represented clients in cases against municipalities, counties, and state agencies throughout New Jersey. Contact Mandelbaum Barrett PC today at (973) 585-5100 or through our contact form for your free consultation to discuss your rights and legal options.