Personal Injury lawyers

Why Choosing the Right Lawyer Immediately Impacts Your Recovery

If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, the legal system in New Jersey offers a path to compensation—but only if you act quickly, correctly, and with qualified legal representation. Medical bills, lost income, and pain do not wait for the legal process to unfold. Insurance companies move fast to minimize their exposure. And evidence disappears within days, sometimes hours.

At Ratliff Jackson LLP, we represent injury victims across Camden, Trenton, Cherry Hill, and Gloucester County. Our litigation team handles serious injury claims involving vehicle collisions, unsafe properties, worksite accidents, and wrongful death. We do not take shortcuts, and we do not accept low offers. Every case is positioned for trial from day one.

What Is Considered a Personal Injury Under New Jersey Law?

Personal injury law covers any physical, emotional, or financial harm caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct. Common legal grounds include:

• Negligence: The failure to use reasonable care, such as running a red light or failing to clear snow from a walkway
• Strict liability: When someone is held responsible regardless of intent or care—common in defective product claims
• Intentional torts: Assault, battery, or other willful misconduct causing injury

New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1, which means:

• If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover compensation
• If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault

For this reason, how your role is framed early in the process—by insurers, police, and witnesses—can determine whether your claim succeeds at all.

The Most Common Personal Injury Claims We Handle

Our firm focuses on high-stakes injury matters with long-term consequences. Common cases include:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car, truck, and motorcycle collisions account for the majority of personal injury claims. New Jersey is a no-fault state under N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4, meaning your own insurance initially covers medical expenses (PIP coverage). However, serious injuries—like fractures, disfigurement, or permanent disability—allow you to step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver directly.

We pursue claims for:

• Rear-end collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Drunk or distracted driving incidents
• Commercial truck crashes (often involving federal regulations)

Slip and Fall (Premises Liability)

Property owners are legally obligated to keep their premises reasonably safe. When they fail, injuries result from:

• Icy sidewalks or unshoveled walkways
• Wet floors without warning signs
• Broken stairs or loose railings
• Inadequate lighting or security

Property owners and managers can be held liable if they knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to correct it.

Construction and Worksite Injuries

While workers’ compensation typically bars lawsuits against employers, injured workers may still have third-party claims against:

• Subcontractors
• Equipment manufacturers
• Property owners

We investigate whether OSHA violations, unsafe equipment, or ignored safety protocols contributed to your injury.

Medical Malpractice

Claims against healthcare providers require:

• Proof of a provider-patient relationship
• A deviation from the accepted standard of care
• A causal link between the error and your injuries

New Jersey requires a “Certificate of Merit” under N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-27 from a licensed medical professional to proceed with a claim.

Wrongful Death

When negligence results in death, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action under N.J.S.A. 2A:31-1. These claims seek compensation for:

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and services

Time is critical in these cases. A wrongful death suit must be filed within two years of the death date under New Jersey’s statute of limitations.

How Much Is a Personal Injury Claim Worth?

Every case is fact-specific, but compensation typically covers:

• Medical bills, including future care
• Lost income and future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement or loss of limb
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive damages are rare, but possible in egregious cases of reckless or intentional conduct. New Jersey caps them at five times the compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New Jersey?

The general statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury, under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. But certain exceptions apply:

• Injuries involving minors: The clock may not begin until the child turns 18
• Government entities: Claims must be filed within 90 days under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act (N.J.S.A. 59:8-8)

If you miss the applicable deadline, your right to recover is almost always barred—regardless of how strong your case may be.

What Insurance Companies Will Not Tell You

Insurance adjusters are trained to reduce your payout. Tactics include:

• Pressuring you to give a recorded statement without legal counsel
• Offering fast but lowball settlements before your injuries are fully diagnosed
• Arguing that your injuries were pre-existing
• Using surveillance or social media to dispute your claims

Once you accept a settlement, you cannot reopen the claim—even if new injuries are discovered. Never sign anything or discuss your injuries with an insurer before consulting an attorney.

Do You Have to Go to Court?

Not all personal injury claims require a trial. In fact, most settle through:

• Negotiation with insurance carriers
• Mediation or arbitration
• Pre-trial conferences with judges

That said, your lawyer must prepare as if trial is inevitable. Insurance companies only offer full value when they know your attorney is prepared to win in court.

What to Do Immediately After an Injury

Every step you take—or fail to take—after an accident will affect your claim. Ratliff Jackson LLP recommends the following:

1. Seek medical attention immediately, even if symptoms seem minor
2. Document everything: Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and property damage
3. Get witness information: Names, contact details, and statements
4. Preserve evidence: Clothing, shoes, and any relevant physical items
5. Avoid social media: Posts can be used against you
6. Do not speak with insurers until you have legal representation

We often find that early legal intervention preserves thousands of dollars in claim value—and in some cases, the ability to sue at all.

Why Choose Ratliff Jackson LLP

We are not a volume firm. We do not hand off your case to junior staff. We take on a limited number of serious injury cases so each one receives aggressive, personalized representation. When you hire Ratliff Jackson LLP, you can expect:

• Direct access to your attorney
• Comprehensive investigation of fault and damages
• Access to top medical experts and accident reconstructionists
• Trial-readiness from day one
• Clear, honest communication at every stage

We serve clients in Camden, Trenton, Cherry Hill, and Gloucester County. Our goal is not just to win your case—but to restore your stability, dignity, and future.

Speak With a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today

You do not need to navigate the aftermath of an injury alone. Whether you were struck by a distracted driver, injured in a fall due to unsafe property conditions, or lost a loved one because of another party’s negligence, Ratliff Jackson LLP is prepared to fight for your recovery. Call us at 856-209-3111 or request a confidential consultation online.