Civil Court Rules and Jury Charges

Kenneth Vercammen & Associates, P.C.
2053 Woodbridge Avenue - Edison, NJ 08817

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Statute of Limitations and tolling 2A:14-2 Actions for injury caused by wrongful act negligence

Statute of Limitations and tolling
2A:14-2   Actions for injury caused by wrongful act negligence, appointment of guardian ad litem.2A:14-2. a. Every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this  State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued; except that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth shall be commenced prior to the minor's 13th birthday.

b.In the event that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has  accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth is not commenced by the minor's parent or guardian prior to the minor's 12th birthday, the minor or a person 18 years of age or older designated by the minor to act on the minor's behalf may commence such an action.  For this purpose, the minor or designated person may petition the court for the appointment of a guardian ad litem to act on the minor's behalf.

L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended 2004, c.17, s.3.
 
2A:14-2.1.  2 years;  action by parent or other person for injury to minor child;  joinder with action on behalf of minor child    Where a parent or other person has a claim for damages suffered by him because of an injury to a minor child caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State, an action at law upon such claim may be commenced by the said parent or other person within the same period of time as provided by law in the case of the said minor child so injured, provided that, if an action is commenced by or on behalf of the said minor child, the said claim of the parent or other person shall be asserted and maintained in such action brought on behalf of the injured minor child either as a plaintiff or third party plaintiff and if not so asserted shall be barred by the judgment  in the action brought on behalf of said injured minor child.

     L.1964, c. 214, s. 1.
 
2A:14-3.  1 year;  libel or slander    Every action at law for libel or slander shall be commenced within 1 year next after the publication of the alleged libel or slander.

      Section: 2A:14-21: Disabilities affecting limitation; action on behalf of minor.
          
2A:14-21. If a person entitled to commence an action or proceeding specified in N.J.S.2A:14-1 to 2A:14-8 or N.J.S.2A:14-16 to 2A:14-20 or to a right or title of entry under N.J.S.2A:14-6 is under the age of 18 years or a person who has a mental disability that prevents the person from understanding his legal rights or commencing a legal action at the time the cause of action or right or title accrues, the person may commence the action or make the entry, within the time as limited by those statutes, after reaching majority or having the mental capacity to pursue the person's lawful rights. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth shall be commenced prior to the minor's 13th birthday, as provided in N.J.S.2A:14-2.