The rules regarding personal injury law vary from state to state, so understanding your expectations and rights is crucial in protecting your interests. A statute of limitations is one of the more important things to be aware of as it dictates the amount of time you have to initiate legal action after being involved in an accident. It is important to be informed about the statute of limitations for injuries that occur on government property to ensure you do not miss out on your opportunity for compensation. For more information, reach out to an experienced Middlesex County personal injury attorney today.
What’s the Statute of Limitations for Injuries on Government Property in NJ?
Every state has its own unique laws regarding the amount of time the victim of an accident has to take legal action before their right to compensation expires. Some states reduce the statute of limitations if the injury occurs on government property in order to protect the local and state government from lawsuits. However, New Jersey is not one of those states.
Under New Jersey Statute 2A:14-2, “every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.”
This means that after any personal injury accident that takes place in NJ, the victim has two years from the date of the incident to initiate legal filings, including for damages that occured on government property. If you are injured in an accident and fail to start the legal process within two years, you forfeit your right to pursue compensation and legal action.
What Other Deadlines Do I Have to Meet?
Despite the fact that the statute of limitations is the same for injuries that occur on government property as for those that occur anywhere else, that does not mean that there are no additional regulations and deadlines. In New Jersey, while you do have two years to file a claim or lawsuit against a government entity, you have less time to file the notice of claim.
A notice of claim is a formal document that must be sent to alert a state or municipality to the fact that you intend to file a claim or lawsuit against them. Government agencies in New Jersey are entitled to a notice of claim within 90 days of the incident taking place. The document should state the date, time, and place of the accident, as well as a description of what happened and the damages that you are seeking.
Keep in mind that you still have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim or lawsuit, but you must notify the agency of your intent to seek damages within three months. If you fail to do so, you may not be able to pursue compensation or justice.
