Serving South Jersey
Seeking Justice and Compensation for Families After the Unthinkable
When someone’s negligence causes a loved one’s death, grief collides with urgent financial questions: How do we pay the medical bills? What about mortgage payments? The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman stands in solidarity with surviving spouses, children, and parents throughout South Jersey by filing a wrongful death action and any associated personal injury claims.
Motor‑vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of accidental fatalities statewide, with South Jersey counties accounting for roughly 35 % of annual roadway deaths.*
Motorcycle accidents accounted for approximately 82 rider fatalities in New Jersey in 2022, representing nearly 15% of all traffic deaths statewide.*
Workplace accidents, especially in construction and trucking, claimed 22 lives in New Jersey last year.
Medical‑error fatalities exceed 1,000 deaths annually, according to state hospital reports.
*Data compiled from NJDOT Fatality Analysis Reporting System and NJ Department of Health injury surveillance.
Our New Jersey wrongful death attorneys move quickly to identify responsible parties, preserve evidence, and pursue the full compensation your family needs to rebuild.
From our Vineland office, we fight for injured South Jersey residents across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, and Salem Counties.
Why South Jersey Chooses the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman
Wrongful death cases demand more than sympathy; they require precision, speed, and courtroom readiness. Insurance companies move quickly to limit payouts. Families need legal counsel that knows how to investigate thoroughly, calculate lifetime losses, and hold negligent parties fully accountable.
Decades of complex wrongful death litigation. From tractor‑trailer collisions to surgical errors, we know how to assemble evidence and value lifetime economic loss.
Comprehensive damages strategy. Economists, vocational experts, and grief counselors quantify lost wages, household services, and the support the family deserves.
Coordination with the Survival Act claims. Our law firm pursues both wrongful death damages for surviving family members and Survival Act damages for the estate’s medical bills and conscious pain.
Contingency‑fee representation. Initial consultations are free; no legal fee is owed unless we recover compensation.
When everything feels uncertain, experience and preparation matter. Our team focuses on protecting your family’s financial future while you focus on healing.
New Jersey Wrongful Death Laws That Shape Your Claim
When a decedent’s death is caused by a wrongful act, New Jersey law gives surviving family members the right to pursue financial compensation. But these claims are governed by specific statutes that control who can file, what damages are available, how long you have to act, and how any recovery is distributed. Understanding the legal framework below is critical to protecting your rights and building a strong wrongful death suit.
Statute / Rule | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|
New Jersey Wrongful Death Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:31‑1 et seq.) | Allows a personal representative to sue for financial losses suffered by the deceased person’s estate and statutory beneficiaries. |
Survival Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:15‑3) | Estate recovers the decedent’s pre‑death medical expenses and pain and suffering. |
Two‑Year Statute of Limitations (N.J.S.A. 2A:31‑3) | File a wrongful death lawsuit within 2 years of the loved one’s wrongful death (different rules for minors & criminal homicide). |
Distribution of Proceeds (N.J.S.A. 2A:31‑4) | Damages are divided among the surviving spouse, children, surviving parents, or next of kin based on actual dependence. |
No Cap on Damages (Common‑law; N.J.S.A. 2A:15‑5.12) | Economic & non‑economic wrongful‑death damages are uncapped in New Jersey; punitive damages are possible for egregious conduct. |
Common Causes of New Jersey Wrongful Death Cases
Most wrongful death cases in New Jersey stem from preventable negligence. Whether the loss was caused by a reckless driver, an unsafe construction site, a medical mistake, or a dangerous product, these tragedies typically follow patterns. Identifying how the fatal incident occurred and who may be legally responsible is the first step in building a strong claim.
Event | Typical Scenario | Responsible Parties |
Car & Truck Accidents | Drunk, distracted, or speeding drivers | At‑fault driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer |
Construction Site Accidents | Falls, electrocutions, equipment malfunctions | General contractor, subcontractor, equipment maker |
Medical Malpractice | Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and birth trauma | Hospitals, physicians, and medical device companies |
Defective Products | Exploding batteries, faulty brakes | Product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers |
Pedestrian & Bicycle Collisions | Unsafe crosswalks, negligent motorists | Driver, municipality (road design), property owner |
Every wrongful death case is fact-specific. Multiple parties may share liability, and insurance companies move quickly to limit exposure. Acting fast to investigate the incident, preserve evidence, and identify all responsible parties can make the difference between a denied claim and full financial recovery for your family.
Damages Available in New Jersey Wrongful Death Cases
In New Jersey, wrongful death compensation is focused on the financial losses suffered by surviving family members. Separate claims under the Survival Act allow recovery for losses experienced by the decedent before death.
Economic Losses (Financial Support the Family Has Lost)
New Jersey law allows recovery for measurable financial losses, including:
Lost wages and employment benefits the decedent would have provided
Loss of future earning capacity
Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of household services, such as childcare, home maintenance, and caregiving
Loss of financial contributions to dependents
These damages are calculated based on life expectancy, work history, and the level of financial dependence.
Loss of Care, Guidance, and Companionship
In addition to financial support, juries may award damages for:
Loss of parental guidance
Loss of care and nurturing
Loss of companionship and services
Under New Jersey law, these damages are tied to the value of the relationship and services provided, not emotional grief itself.
Survival Act Damages (Separate but Related Claim)
A Survival Act claim allows the estate to recover damages the decedent could have pursued if they had survived, including:
Pre-death medical expenses
Conscious pain and suffering
Lost wages between injury and death
These damages are paid to the estate rather than directly to statutory beneficiaries.
Is There a Cap on Wrongful Death Damages in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not cap compensatory damages in wrongful death cases. That means juries may award amounts reflecting the full financial impact of the loss. Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving especially reckless or egregious conduct, subject to statutory limits.
Steps to Protect Your Wrongful Death Case
Request the death certificate and any coroner or autopsy reports as soon as available.
Preserve evidence from the fatal accident, such as the vehicle, accident reports, medical records, defective product, or job‑site photographs.
Appoint or confirm the personal representative of the deceased victim’s estate; only they may file the claim.
Avoid direct talks with an insurance company seeking a quick settlement.
Contact a New Jersey wrongful death lawyer promptly to meet filing deadlines and locate all responsible parties.
New Jersey Wrongful Death Claim FAQs
Who can sue for wrongful death in New Jersey?
The estate’s personal representative files the claim for the benefit of the surviving spouse, children, parents, or other dependents.
How are damages divided in a New Jersey wrongful death claim?
Courts apportion damages according to each beneficiary’s actual financial dependence on the decedent.
How do you prove another party's negligence in a wrongful death suit?
You must show that the defendant’s negligence or misconduct caused the wrongful death victim's fatal injury and that the survivors suffered financial loss.
What fees do wrongful death lawyers charge?
We work on a contingency basis, generally capped at a percentage of the first $750,000 recovered, as per Court Rule 1:21-7.
Get a Free Consultation With a Compassionate and Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney
If someone else’s negligence claimed your loved one’s life, you have the right to seek accountability and financial compensation. Contact the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman for a free consultation and learn how we pursue justice for grieving families across Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties.
$20 Million
Wrongful Death in New Jersey
$2 Million
Longshoreman Injury in New Jersey
$1.3 Million
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$1 Million
Workplace Accident in New Jersey
$825,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$750,000
Individual Harmed by an Exploding Thermos
$550,000
Neck & Back Injuries
$440,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$400,000
Motor Vehicle Accident
$300,000
Minor with a Broken Leg
$300,000
Injuries Resulting From a Trip & Fall
$250,000
Pedestrian Accident
Injured? Tell Us Your Story. We’ll Handle the Rest.
Call To Speak To A Lawyer For A Free Case Evaluation.
Cases We Handle in New Jersey
Injured at work, in an accident, or in a slip-and-fall in New Jersey?
From comparative-fault rules to the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Altman Team knows New Jersey law inside out. Whether your claim arises in Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, or Cape May County, we will protect your legal rights and help you get every dollar you deserve.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.