New Jersey Negligence Lawyer

Negligence in New Jersey

 

Proving negligence typically involves 5 elements, listed below:

 

The defendant owed a duty of care towards the injured party;

This duty of care was breached;

That without the breach of duty occurring, the injuries would not have                                           resulted;

The resulting harm directly and proximately caused the injuries

Damages proved as a result of the injuries. 

 

Call today

 

Steven P. Lombardi, Esq 

 

973-921-2860

 

Contributory Negligence rules in New Jersey

 

New Jersey is one of a number of states which have adopted a form of the comparative negligence rule.  Under the comparative negligence doctrine, a plaintiff may recover if his/her negligence contributed to the damages provided their negligence was not greater than the party or parties against whom recovery is sought (not greater than 50%).  However, the damages to which an injured party would be entitled will be diminished by the percentage of negligence attributable to the recovering party.  N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1 et. seq.   The purpose of the comparative negligence statute was to eliminate the harsh doctrine of contributory negligence which bars any recovery to a plaintiff if his/her own negligence contributed to the injury – regardless of how great or how slight the contributory negligence was.

 

Further, the New Jersey Joint Tortfeasor Act allows a plaintiff to recover the full amount of damages from any joint tortfeasor determined to be 60% or more responsible for the total damages.  N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.3(a)   In the alternative, any party found to be less than 60% responsible for the total damages is only responsible for the percentage of damages attributable to that party.  N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.3(c)  In the event a party is required to pay more than his share of the damage award in accordance with the Joint Tortfeasors Act, he/she may seek contribution from the other joint tortfeasors for the excess over his/her pro rata share.  N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-3.

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MAIN OFFICE

 

Law Office of

Steven P. Lombardi

318 Main Street

Suite 101 B

Millburn, NJ 07041

 

Phone:

973-921-2860

 

Fax:

(862)206-8021

 

Email:

steven@

lombardilawfirm.com

 

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MONMOUTH COUNTY OFFICE

 

 

Atlantic Highlands NJ 07716

 

Appointments on scheduling