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Child sexual predators exist everywhere. They harm children from all demographics and shatter families from all socio-economic statuses. It often takes years for victims to come forward and bring their accusers to justice. Like most reasonable people, we understand this reality. And that is why a criminal statute of limitations does not exist in New Jersey, and is not in question. What today’s legislation addresses is the ability of victims to sue for damages. The... Continue reading

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In an op-ed in the Times of Trenton this week, NJLRA discusses why it’s important to engage with local elected officials. It is intended to be a guide for the state’s small business owners, but it can apply to everyone who’s ever been curious about who makes the rules by which we all need to abide. You can read it in The Times here, or on NJLRA’s website. Continue reading

New Jersey’s annual “budget break” is the period between the end of March and June when Assembly and Senate Budget Committees meet to finalize the next fiscal year’s budget. The emphasis on budgetary matters can seemingly push legal reform to the back burner, as the rest of the Legislature remains in recess and voting sessions are suspended. But as Lawsuit Reform Watch noted last year at this time, one of the most appealing aspects about... Continue reading

NJLRA is saddened by the death of one of our most vocal members, Deborah Dowdell, who headed the New Jersey Restaurant Association (NJRA). Deborah passed away on March 2nd after a long battle with cancer. She will be missed. Click here for a touching tribute to Deborah in New Jersey Newsroom. Continue reading

Whether you live or work in the Trenton area (or just read about it on occasion), you may remember the unfortunate death of a man who had fallen into a snow bank at the intersection of South Warren and West Front streets last winter. Quirino Azcona, a popular deliveryman whom friends called “Cabrera,” stopped at an unnamed bar after his shift ended at Supreme Food in the City’s South Ward in late January 2011. Fresh... Continue reading

Read Andrew Kitchenman’s story in NJ BIZ about the prospect for lawsuit reform this year: Advocates of lawsuit reform are touting the possibility of significant bills to reform the state's laws governing class action and consumer fraud cases, signaling what may become the biggest opening for changes since the 1990s. A pair of bills introduced this session would limit the cost to post bonds for corporations that are appealing judgments, and would allow the subjects... Continue reading

NJLRA Statement on NJ Supreme Court Decision in Kendall v. Roche 5-1 decision will allow case to proceed, despite concerns regarding statute of limitations, FDA’s approval TRENTON, N.J. – Marcus Rayner, executive director of the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance, issued the following statement regarding the state Supreme Court’s decision in Kendall v. Roche: “The New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision in Kendall v. Roche negatively impacts thousands of businesses across the state at time when... Continue reading

Advocating for traffic changes might be more helpful Carl Wilkins’ family suffered an unspeakable nightmare when their loved one was tragically struck and killed after a double hit-and-run incident. The family’s attorney has indicated that they intend to sue NJ Transit, the state of New Jersey and Ewing Township for his death, along with the women who committed this crime (“Hit-and-run victim’s family targets NJ Transit, Ewing, state, 2 others,” Feb. 8). The individuals who... Continue reading

In 2006, children at a South Jersey daycare facility played freely. Then state inspectors informed them that their facility existed on a heavily contaminated former thermometer factory. A class action lawsuit against the building’s owners, as well as local, county, and state government entities found all parties liable. It may take several years until all of the damage done to these children comes to light, which is why the judge ordered each of these entities... Continue reading

Governor Christie’s budget address will take place at 2 p.m. today. While lawsuit reform measures are typically devoid of budgetary line-items, changes that NJLRA seeks would add much-needed business investment to the state’s economy. You can listen the Governor’s budget address live on the Legislature’s homepage, linked here. Continue reading

The State Senate unanimously passed S-173, sponsored by Senator Robert Singer, which would require the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to conduct a study of New Jersey’s looming doctor shortage. “The New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals warned us in 2010 that New Jersey will be short nearly 3,000 doctors by 2022 if preventative measures are not taken,” said Marcus Rayner, executive director of the Alliance. “This is on top of the current... Continue reading

NJLRA will hold its annual Spring Membership Luncheon on Tuesday, March 13th at noon, at the Trenton Country Club in West Trenton Previous keynote speakers have included Senator Ray Lesniak (D-Union) and Rich Bagger, former chief-of-staff to Governor Christie. This year's keynote speaker TBA. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is required. Email us to RSVP - we hope to see you there! Continue reading

Assemblyman Herb Conaway, chair of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee, reintroduced legislation granting civil immunity for certain volunteer physicians, nonprofit clinics, and federally qualified health centers. A volunteer physician is defined in this bill, A-2178, as a physician who is retired but maintains licensed and is not receiving compensation for patient care. New Jersey is projected to be short by nearly 3,000 physicians by the end of the decade. Medical specialties, including OB-GYNs,... Continue reading

We already know that lawsuit abuse impacts access to healthcare, insurance costs, and (if you live in New Jersey) your ability to profit from driving under the influence. But a new study suggests that frivolous litigation may have extended its reach to the playground as well. According to research conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, three primary barriers have been identified which impede children’s usage of playgrounds. A greater focus on academics and a... Continue reading

The following pieces of legislation were prefiled for introduction for the new legislative session, which officially began on January 10th. Please contact NJLRA if you would like additional information about any of the following: Summary New Bill # Old Bill # Sponsors Extends $50 million cap on appeal bonds in civil actions to all industries in New Jersey A241 A2473 Schaer, McKeon Permits litigants contesting class certification the right to immediately appeal that ruling. A894... Continue reading

A $4.1 million settlement awarded to a north Jersey man who overdosed on stolen drugs as a teen is gaining national infamy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce nominated it for this month’s Most Ridiculous Lawsuit http://www.facesoflawsuitabuse.org/. The plaintiff, who said the neighborhood pharmacy should have done a better job of guarding the drugs his friend stole, sued several partygoers, the host, and the host’s mother in addition to the pharmacy. The pharmacy will pay the... Continue reading

A-3304, which NJLRA opposes, is scheduled for consideration by the full Assembly today. If enacted, this legislation would make the 2008 False Claims Act retroactively applicable to alleged offenses occurring up to 14 years ago, from March 1998. A lot can happen in nearly 14 years. Companies change. Employees change. Exonerating evidence is harder to come by. But this bill doesn’t take any of that into consideration. Instead, a company – no matter how big... Continue reading

What do the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, NJBIA, New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, National Federation of Independent Business-New Jersey, Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey, Chemistry Council of New Jersey, New Jersey Food Council, and the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey have in common? All were present to support A-265, sponsored by Assemblyman David Russo, which would create specialized business courts in New Jersey. Chairman Peter Barnes... Continue reading

Since you just can’t make some things up (“Man who overdosed at teen house party awarded $4.1 million settlement,” Markos, The Record), here is NJLRA’s statement: Ridgewood drug store to pay nearly half; underscores need for legal reform TRENTON, N.J. – Marcus Rayner, executive director of the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance, released the following statement regarding a $4.1 million settlement awarded to a 21-year-old who overdosed on Xanax stolen from a local pharmacy: “In... Continue reading

A Florida resident, who makes a living by suing under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is poised to make litigation tourism New Jersey’s premier industry. “The ADA was intended to protect consumers, not liquidate businesses.” Read it here in The Record. Continue reading

A-3434, which NJLRA opposes, was passed in the Assembly yesterday by a vote of 44-27. This bill, which requires a review of consumer contract for unconscionability, may actually be in conflict with Federal law under a U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down on April 27th, 2011 in AT&T vs. Concepcion. In that decision, the Court ruled that "[w]hen state law prohibits outright the arbitration of a particular type of claim, the FAA [Federal Arbitration Act]... Continue reading

Last year, a teen who sued the surviving members of family she killed during her failed suicide attempt for her “mental anguish” took this unenviable prize. Here are this year’s nominees: Click below to vote now! JavaScript needs to be enabled for polling to work. Online Surveys by Constant Contact. Continue reading

The Assembly is scheduled to consider A-3434 during Thursday’s voting session. NJLRA opposes A-3434, which requires a review of consumer contract for unconscionability and sets the standard for review. Members should note that this bill may actually be in conflict with Federal law under a U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down on April 27th, 2011 in AT&T vs. Concepcion. In that decision, the Court ruled that "[w]hen state law prohibits outright the arbitration of a... Continue reading