When you’re injured because of someone else’s actions, time is not on your side. New Jersey law gives you a limited window to take legal action. If you miss the deadline, you may lose the chance to file a lawsuit. Some exceptions apply, but they are limited and fact-specific.
Understanding New Jersey’s two-year deadline
In most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in New Jersey. This rule applies to a wide range of incidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Dog bites
- Assault-related injuries
- Defective product injuries
The two-year period usually starts on the day of the injury. If the harm isn’t immediately known, the clock may begin when the injury is discovered. Insurance delays, medical treatment and uncertainty about fault can all eat into that window.
Special rules for minors injured at birth
Children injured at birth due to medical malpractice have until their 13th birthday to file a claim. If a parent or guardian does not act by the child’s 12th birthday, the child may ask the court to appoint someone to file on their behalf. Other injuries involving minors may follow different timelines.
Claims involving public entities
If your injury involves a government agency or employee, you face a shorter deadline. Under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident.
This notice is required before you can sue. It must include basic facts about what happened, where it occurred and the harm you suffered. Missing this step can block your right to file a lawsuit later.
Know your timeline and protect your rights
Acting early gives you more control. It helps preserve evidence, keeps your options open and avoids missing deadlines. Every case has different rules, so knowing your timeline is important. If you’re unsure what applies to your situation, talk to an attorney who can explain your next steps.
