Your child was hurt.
Someone owed them care.
Schools, daycares, landlords, pool owners, drivers and product makers all owe children a duty of care. When they fall short, New Jersey law gives your child the right to be compensated, with extra protections that adults don't get.
Quick answers
How long do I have to file a claim for a child's injury in NJ?
For most injuries to children, New Jersey pauses the two-year deadline until the child turns 18, under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-21. But a parent's own claim for medical bills follows the ordinary deadline, and claims against schools or towns generally require a Tort Claims Act notice within 90 days.
Evidence fades long before a child turns 18, so acting early is still best.
Does a court have to approve a settlement for a minor?
Yes. In New Jersey, a settlement of a minor's injury claim must be approved by a judge at a friendly hearing under Court Rule 4:44. The judge reviews whether the amount is fair, and the money is usually held in a court-supervised account until the child turns 18.
Structured settlements or special needs trusts may be used for serious, lifelong injuries.
What if a town, county or the State is responsible?
Claims against New Jersey public entities fall under the Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. 59:1-1 and following. A written notice of claim generally must be filed within 90 days of the injury, and the Act adds rules on dangerous conditions of public property and a threshold for pain and suffering damages.
Missing the 90-day notice can end a claim, though a court may allow late notice within one year for good reason.
How much does it cost to hire Dennis?
Nothing up front. The consultation is free, and injury cases are handled on a contingency fee, which means the fee is a percentage of the recovery and is only owed if there is one. New Jersey Court Rule 1:21-7 caps contingency fees in personal injury cases.
You will get the fee agreement in writing before any work starts, and you can ask questions about it at any time.
Children get
extra protection.
In New Jersey, the two-year deadline for most injury claims generally does not start running against a child until the child turns 18 (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-21). That does not mean you should wait. Witnesses move, video is erased and schools discard records. Parents also have their own claim for medical bills they paid, and that claim can run on the normal two-year clock.
Any settlement of a minor's claim must be approved by a judge at a short court hearing, often called a friendly hearing (Court Rule 4:44). The judge makes sure the amount is fair, and the money is usually held for the child until age 18.
The case starts
on day one.
Every child injury matter is treated as a litigation file from the first call — because that's what wins it.
No fee unless we win.
You owe us nothing unless we recover for you. Period.
Cash advance in 24 hours.
Same-day funding can be arranged through third-party sources while your case is built.
Free, confidential case review.
An attorney — not an intake screener — reviews your matter and tells you what it's worth.
24/7 line, real people.
Evidence disappears in days. We answer the phone the night it happens.
Hurt in New Jersey?
Tell us what happened.
A New Jersey attorney personally reviews every submission — typically within the hour. No fee. No obligation. Evidence preservation begins the moment we hang up.
- Statewide coverage — every NJ county
- Preservation letters issued same day
- In-house investigation team
- Available 24/7 — nights, weekends, holidays
Request your free
consultation.
Dennis Shlionsky's Team will personally review your matter — typically within one hour. There is no fee unless we win.
Public schools have special rules.
Claims against a public school, town or county fall under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, which normally requires a written Notice of Tort Claim within 90 days. For children, N.J.S.A. 59:8-8 lets the notice be filed within 90 days after the child turns 18, but we file early whenever possible so evidence is preserved. Private schools, camps and nonprofits may raise charitable immunity, which has its own limits and exceptions.
Where the money comes from.
Depending on where the injury happened, coverage may come from a school district's insurance, a daycare's liability policy, a homeowner's or renter's policy, an auto policy or a manufacturer's product liability coverage. We identify every policy that applies.
What clients ask first.
How long do we have to file for an injured child in NJ?
For most injury claims, the two-year deadline generally doesn't begin until the child turns 18 (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-21). Exceptions exist, and a parent's own claim for medical bills can expire sooner, so talk to a lawyer early.
My child was hurt at a public school. Is there a different deadline?
Claims against public entities require a Notice of Tort Claim. For minors, N.J.S.A. 59:8-8 allows the notice within 90 days after the child turns 18, but filing promptly protects evidence such as video and incident reports.
Does a judge have to approve my child's settlement?
Yes. Under Court Rule 4:44, a judge reviews any settlement of a minor's claim at a short hearing. The money is generally deposited for the child's benefit until age 18.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, so you owe no attorney's fee unless we recover money for your child. The first conversation is free and confidential.
Their safety.
Our priority.
Tell us what happened. We'll explain your child's rights in plain English.
Request your free
consultation.
Dennis Shlionsky's Team will personally review your matter — typically within one hour. There is no fee unless we win.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case turns on its own facts. The information on this page is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.