Can I Get Compensation for My Injuries in New Jersey?
If you or a loved one was recently injured in New Jersey you are probably wondering if you can get compensated for your injuries. Getting injured on the job or even while just running your day-to-day errands can be a very traumatic experience. It can take an emotional and physical toll on you and sometimes even your loved ones. Let’s suppose that Bill injures himself while working as a construction worker on a new building development in Essex County. Bill will not only have to deal with the emotional and physical trauma of his injuries; but he may also have to deal with lost wages, expensive medical bills, and additional unplanned expenses. So, if you are still wondering, “Can I get compensation for my injuries in New Jersey”, continue reading below.
What Are the Types of Damages that can be Pursued in New Jersey?
In NJ, compensatory damages are in place to compensate the injured for their losses. Compensatory damages can be composed of economic damages as well as non-economic damages.
What are Economic Damages?
Economic damages usually pertain to things like medical bills and lost income, but they can also include cost of medications, any medical devices, and any co-pays for medical insurance.
In New Jersey, non-economic damages compensate the injured party for any non-monetary damages that are warranted due to the negligent behavior of the other party. Non-economic damages are considered more subjective because they cannot be equated to a particular monetary value. Non-economic damages may include things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and even mental illness.
Punitive Damages in New Jersey
Punitive damages pertain to cases where the defendant’s action was especially reckless or malicious. In New Jersey, punitive damages are capped at five times the combined amount of compensatory damages or at $350,000; whichever one is greater.
Liability Must be Determined in NJ
To get justice for your injuries in NJ, another party has to be found to be at fault for your injuries. New Jersey abides by the “modified comparative negligence” rule, which means that if you are perceived as partially at fault for the accident then your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your fault.
What Are the Time Limits for Filing a Claim in New Jersey?
It’s critical to file a claim as soon as you are injured and not delay the process. In most cases, New Jersey has a statute of limitations of two years for personal injuries. However, waiting until the last few months of that does not give your lawyer enough time to work on your case. There are a lot of moving pieces that go into handling and settling personal injury cases and ample time is needed to gather evidence, conduct depositions and much more.
Will Your Personal Injury Claim be Settled, or Will It Go to Trial?
If your personal injury attorney is able to negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries then the case may be settled. On the other hand, if both parties are not able to come to an amicable settlement then the case may go to trial.
It is also important to note that every case is different and past results are not indicative of future results. Furthermore, it can be normal for some injury cases that are more complex to take years before they are settled.
Have You Been Injured in Essex or Monmouth County?
If you or a loved one has been injured and are wondering, “Can I get compensated for my injuries in New Jersey”, contact Clark Law Firm P.C. today to speak to one of our personal injury lawyers. Call 1-877-841-8855 or chat with us online on our website. We also speak Español and Portuguese for those who need a bilingual-speaking attorney.
