Woodland Park Firm Champions Rights of Personal Injury Victims
New Jersey lawyers obtain substantial compensation in accident cases
Accidents resulting in serious injuries can happen very suddenly. One minute you are simply going about your day and the next you are in severe pain, facing expensive medical bills and being unable to work. If another party's negligent actions contributed to your accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for your damages. The attorneys at Licatesi Law Group, LLP, with offices in Woodland Park, New Jersey, have over four decades of experience in personal injury cases. You can trust that when you turn to our Passaic County firm for help, you will receive outstanding legal support intended to get you the best possible financial outcome.
Dependable legal support across the full spectrum of personal injury cases
Experience counts when selecting a law firm to work in your behalf after you suffer a serious injury. We have extensive background handling claims involving:
- Motor vehicle accidents — Our attorneys assist vehicle occupants and pedestrians injured in auto accidents, trucking accidents and motorcycle crashes. We know how to navigate New Jersey's no-fault car insurance system to get maximum recovery for clients.
- Premises liability — Property owners and managers have a duty to ensure their properties are reasonably safe for visitors. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for damages. Slip and fall accidents and dog bites are examples of incidents that can lead to premises liability claims.
- Product liability — If you were injured by a consumer product, you may be able to file a claim if there were errors in the design, manufacturing or marketing of the product. We have a history of successfully standing up to companies that allow defective products into the marketplace.
- Medical malpractice — Healthcare providers are supposed to heal patients, yet injuries often result from negligence in diagnosis and treatment. We hold physicians, nurses, chiropractors, pharmacists, dentists and medical facilities accountable for causing harm to patients.
- Construction accidents — An employee injured in a construction accident or other on-the-job incident usually is limited to workers' compensation as their exclusive remedy. However, if a third-party's negligence contributed to the accident, that party may be held liable in a civil claim.
- Nursing home negligence and abuse — If your elderly family member was injured due to negligence or abuse in a nursing facility, you can count on our legal team to stand up vigorously to hold all responsible parties accountable.
- Wrongful death — When someone dies due to negligent or deliberate conduct by another person, the victim's family may be able to recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. We provide compassionate representation while forcefully bringing the liable parties to justice.
Damages in a personal injury case can include reimbursement for medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages and future income. You also may be able to recover for pain and suffering and emotional distress. If you are considering a claim, don't wait to speak with our attorney. The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in New Jersey is usually two years from the date of death.
New Jersey Personal Injury Statistics
Annual injury-related emergency visits in New Jersey hospitals
Traffic fatalities annually on New Jersey roads
Typical compensation range for serious NJ personal injury cases
Most Common Personal Injury Accident Types in New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Accidents (45%)
Car, truck, motorcycle accidents on NJ highways (Route 46, Route 80, Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike)
Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents (22%)
Premises liability in stores, restaurants, parking lots, sidewalks throughout Passaic County and northern NJ
Construction & Workplace Accidents (15%)
Falls, machinery accidents, third-party liability claims beyond workers' compensation
Medical Malpractice (10%)
Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries at NJ hospitals and medical facilities
Product Liability (5%)
Defective products, dangerous equipment, pharmaceutical injuries
Other Negligence Claims (3%)
Dog bites, nursing home abuse, recreational accidents
Types of Personal Injury Cases & Injuries We Handle in New Jersey
Catastrophic Injuries (Permanent Disability)
The most severe injuries resulting in permanent disability, requiring lifetime care, and justifying multi-million dollar compensation:
- •Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Closed head injuries, skull fractures, brain bleeds, diffuse axonal injury causing permanent cognitive deficits. Typical NJ compensation: $1M-$15M.
- •Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
Complete or incomplete paralysis (quadriplegia/paraplegia), herniated discs requiring surgery. Typical NJ compensation: $2M-$12M+.
- •Amputations
Traumatic or surgical amputation of arms, legs, fingers, toes. Typical NJ compensation: $800K-$8M.
- •Severe Burns & Disfigurement
Third-degree burns requiring skin grafts, permanent scarring. Typical NJ compensation: $500K-$4M.
- •Loss of Vision or Hearing
Permanent blindness, retinal detachment, total hearing loss. Typical NJ compensation: $700K-$6M.
Serious Injuries (Significant Impact)
Injuries significantly impacting your life, requiring surgery or extensive treatment, causing permanent partial disability:
- •Fractures & Broken Bones
Compound fractures, multiple fractures requiring surgery, hip/pelvic/femur fractures. Typical NJ compensation: $100K-$1.5M.
- •Internal Injuries
Ruptured organs, internal bleeding, kidney/liver damage. Typical NJ compensation: $200K-$2.5M.
- •Joint Injuries
Torn rotator cuff, ACL/meniscus tears, joint replacements. Typical NJ compensation: $150K-$1.2M.
- •Back & Neck Injuries
Herniated discs requiring surgery, spinal fusion, radiculopathy. Typical NJ compensation: $150K-$1.8M.
Moderate Injuries
Injuries requiring medical treatment, causing temporary disability, justifying significant compensation:
- •Soft Tissue Injuries
Whiplash, strains, sprains requiring months of physical therapy. Typical NJ compensation: $25K-$150K.
- •Lacerations & Scarring
Deep cuts, permanent scarring especially on face/exposed areas. Typical NJ compensation: $15K-$120K.
- •Psychological Injuries
PTSD, anxiety, depression from accident trauma. Typical NJ compensation: $20K-$250K.
New Jersey Personal Injury Law: What You Need to Know
Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule)
New Jersey follows a "modified comparative negligence" rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover compensation only if you are 50% or less at fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing.
Example 1: You're in a car accident with $100,000 in damages. Jury finds you 40% at fault and other driver 60% at fault. You recover: $100,000 × 60% = $60,000.
Example 2: You slip at a store with $50,000 in damages. Jury finds you 50% at fault and store 50% at fault. You recover: $50,000 × 50% = $25,000.
Example 3: Same accident but jury finds you 51% at fault and store 49% at fault. You recover: $0 (barred from recovery).
Key Difference from New York: NY uses "pure" comparative negligence where you can recover even at 99% fault. New Jersey's 51% bar is less favorable to plaintiffs. Insurance companies will aggressively argue you're 51%+ at fault to completely bar your recovery.
Statute of Limitations: Strict Deadlines in New Jersey
You must file a lawsuit within specific time limits or permanently lose your right to sue:
- •General Personal Injury: 2 Years
Car accidents, slip and fall, most negligence claims (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2)
- •Medical Malpractice: 2 Years
From date of injury or when injury was or should have been discovered (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2)
- •Wrongful Death: 2 Years
From date of death (N.J.S.A. 2A:31-3)
- •Government Entities: 90 Days for Notice of Tort Claim
Accidents involving NJ municipalities, counties, state agencies require Notice within 90 days (N.J.S.A. 59:8-8)
CRITICAL: New Jersey's 2-year statute is shorter than New York's 3-year deadline. Missing the deadline by even one day results in dismissal regardless of case strength. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.
New Jersey Auto Insurance: No-Fault & Tort Options
New Jersey has a hybrid no-fault/tort system with important choices that affect your ability to sue:
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Benefits
All NJ drivers must carry PIP coverage (minimum $15,000) which covers your medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Unlike NY's no-fault, NJ allows you to choose your PIP level ($15K, $50K, $75K, $150K, $250K).
Standard/Unlimited Tort Option (RECOMMENDED)
You can sue for pain and suffering for ANY injury, regardless of severity. Higher insurance premium but preserves full legal rights.
✓ Can sue for minor soft tissue injuries, whiplash, minor sprains
Limited Tort Option (RISKY)
Lower insurance premium BUT you can only sue for pain and suffering if you suffer a "verbal threshold" injury (permanent injury, disfigurement, dismemberment, loss of body part, displaced fracture).
✗ Cannot sue for soft tissue injuries, whiplash, minor injuries
If You Chose Limited Tort: We can still help you prove your injury meets the "verbal threshold" to overcome the limitation. We use medical experts to demonstrate permanence, disfigurement, or other qualifying factors.
Joint and Several Liability in New Jersey
New Jersey limits joint and several liability. Each defendant is only liable for their proportionate share of non-economic damages (pain and suffering) unless they are 60% or more at fault.
Example: You're injured in a construction accident where general contractor is 40% at fault and subcontractor is 60% at fault. You can recover 100% of economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) from either defendant. But for pain and suffering, the general contractor only pays 40% and subcontractor pays 60%—unless one of them is 60%+ at fault, then they're liable for the full amount.
Compensation in New Jersey Personal Injury Cases
Economic Damages
Specific financial losses with documentation:
- ✓Past & Future Medical Expenses
Hospital, surgery, therapy, medications, future care needs
- ✓Past & Future Lost Income
Wages lost and reduced earning capacity over work life
- ✓Property Damage
Vehicle repair/replacement, personal belongings
Non-Economic Damages
Personal suffering and life impact (jury decides):
- ✓Pain and Suffering
Physical pain past and future
- ✓Emotional Distress
Anxiety, depression, PTSD
- ✓Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Activities you can no longer do
- ✓Loss of Consortium
Impact on spousal relationship
Punitive Damages in New Jersey
New Jersey allows punitive damages for "actual malice" or "wanton and willful disregard" of harm. More common than in NY, especially in drunk driving, product liability, and intentional tort cases.
Punitive damages are designed to punish and deter. We pursue them when defendant conduct justifies it (repeat DWI offender, known product defect concealed from public, intentional safety violations).