[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/title-599-2-cases-against-public-entities-in-new-jersey-what-you-need-to-know\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/title-599-2-cases-against-public-entities-in-new-jersey-what-you-need-to-know\/","headline":"Title 59:9-2: Cases Against Public Entities in New Jersey: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW","name":"Title 59:9-2: Cases Against Public Entities in New Jersey: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW","description":"In New Jersey, people who are injured on a public entity need to know that it is important to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible. First off, a public entity is any of the following: New Jersey Transit, the Port Authority, a city, town, county, the State of...","datePublished":"2016-10-04","dateModified":"2025-08-06","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/author\/dsslaw\/#Person","name":"Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.","url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/author\/dsslaw\/","identifier":12,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/645d493126a7be6f90be911a6e7d4382c0cd63874673097832081394c8bcf8ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/645d493126a7be6f90be911a6e7d4382c0cd63874673097832081394c8bcf8ab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bg-logo.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/bg-logo.jpg","width":192,"height":90}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/judge-banging-gavel.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/judge-banging-gavel.jpg","height":325,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.dsslaw.com\/blog\/title-599-2-cases-against-public-entities-in-new-jersey-what-you-need-to-know\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":770,"articleBody":"In New Jersey, people who are injured on a public entity need to know that it is important to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.First off, a public entity is any of the following: New Jersey Transit, the Port Authority, a city, town, county, the State of New Jersey, a subdivision such as a Board of Education, the trash removal service that a town may run, a recreational facility, a school, sidewalk, or anything else that has to do with the government.Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C., sees many cases involving public entities \u2013 fall downs due to poor maintenance,\u00a0crashes and injuries on buses and trains, and so on. Each case varies, but there is a certain timeframe that MUST be followed.A person\u00a0MUST\u00a0file a special claim within\u00a090 days\u00a0of the incident in question on special forms called\u00a0TORT\u00a0claims notices. See a lawyer immediately\u00a0and have them file these papers. This is extremely crucial, because even if a person has a very serious and legitimate case, if proper notice is not filed on time, the case will be dismissed. With few exceptions, the courts do not care about the reasons why someone was not able to comply. After the initial filing, if the town or entity sends back their own forms, they must be completed and sent in immediately as well. This is a prerequisite to being able to file a claim. Afterwards, a suit cannot be filed for 6 months to allow time for an investigation.Secondly, a person needs to find out whether they are even able to open a claim, which is why it is so crucial to contact a highly experienced personal injury attorney. Tell them absolutely everything: all the facts, events, injuries and pain. They will be able to advise whether or not to begin the claims process. Many consultations are free and do not require any commitment. Most lawyers are happy just to assist and guide people.The law involving public entities is so complicated that there is a 650 some odd page book written on it. The statute 59:9-2 reads as follows:Paragraph D: No damages shall be awarded against a public entity or public employee for pain and suffering resulting from any injury; provided, however, that this limitation on the recovery of damages for pain and suffering shall not apply in cases of permanent loss of a bodily function\u2026So, what a \u2018permanent loss of bodily function\u2019 means \u2013 it is a \u201cterm of art\u201d used by a lawyer. It can be a wide array of injures, including a herniated disc, a neck, knee, or shoulder injury, among others. It is complicated, but it\u2019s a key word in this Statute. It continues:\u2026Permanent disfigurement or dismemberment where the medical treatment expenses are in excess of $3,600.00.It\u2019s important to note that even if a claim does not have $3,600 in medical expenses, the treatment can extend beyond claim filing. It is wise to file this notice of claim immediately upon the injury itself.Now, the advice given above is a little different if it involves the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York, because they have a different Statute of Limitations. Unlike NJ Transit or a municipality, which has a two year statute of limitations, the Port Authority has a one year statute. That means a lawsuit MUST be filed within one year. They are also subject to notice requirements in writing.\u00a0Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C.\u2019s advice to anyone who is injured because of the negligence of any municipality or its employees, as well as the Port Authority is \u2013 DO NOT WAIT. Speak to a lawyer immediately. They will explain what to do, or they will complete the forms and file with the public entity.Partner, Garry R. Salomon, Esq. wrote a book called\u00a0The Consumer\u2019s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims, which has extensive information and answers many questions. You can request a free copy anytime by calling 1-800-LAW-2000 or by emailing\u00a0community@dsslaw.com, and our office will gladly send it out to you.About the AuthorLatest PostsDavis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.Since 1981, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have been delivering results for our deserving clients. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations.\u00a0No matter how large or small your personal injury case is, you can trust that it is important to us.NYC Construction Accident - The Dangers of Jobsite Falls and Workers' RightsSteven Benvenisti Advocates for HALT Drunk Driving LawDavis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. 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