New Jersey Wrongful Death Statute of Limitation
If you lost a loved one in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another party, you may be entitled to damages by filing a wrongful death claim. In order to protect your legal rights and get the compensation that you are entitled to, you need to timely file your claim.
Be Careful of the Deadline!
The statute of limitations is a law that is designed to limit the time period by which parties may file a lawsuit. If the plaintiff (claimant) fails to file the lawsuit within the defined statute of limitations, then he or she may be barred from pursuing the case any further. New Jersey law has different statutes that dictate how long a party has to file a lawsuit.
Under New Jersey laws, wrongful death claimants must file a lawsuit within two years of the death of their loved ones. In other words, claims for pain and suffering prior to the loss of a loved one must be brought within the two-year statute of limitations.
Exceptions to the Rule
In certain cases, there may be an exception to the two-year statute of limitations. For example, if the grieving party is a minor at the time of loss, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.
To determine whether any exceptions apply, it is important to speak with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
Consult an Attorney Before It Is Too Late
When one is grieving the loss of a loved one, time often becomes irrelevant. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and months turn into years. Before long, the statute of limitations runs, leaving the grieving party without any legal recourse.
In order to avoid such devastation during an already hard time, it is imperative to consult an experienced and qualified wrongful death attorney immediately following the passing of a loved one. The sooner the wrongful death claim is resolved, the sooner the grieving party may be able to bring a closure to an otherwise difficult grieving period.
Call Us
To schedule a complimentary consultation with NJ wrongful death lawyer Dan T. Matrafajlo, please call (908) 248-4404.
Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. is the Managing Member and Lead Partner at Beninato & Matrafajlo, Attorneys at Law, LLC, a New Jersey-based personal injury law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick. With over two decades of experience representing clients in complex matters—including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases—he has recovered over $100 million on behalf of his clients and is known for securing significant results. He has also helped shape New Jersey personal injury law through notable Appellate Division decisions such as Hardison v. King and Frenklakh v. Lojek, with his litigation work featured in the New Jersey Law Journal, underscoring his authority in the field.
Mr. Matrafajlo was recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars honoree from 2012 to 2017 and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Combining deep legal expertise with a client-focused approach, he provides strategic, results-driven representation while guiding clients through every stage of the legal process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York.
