If you were hurt as a result of a negligent social host, it is in your best interest to reach out to our firm today. With the help of a dedicated and experienced Essex County personal injury attorney, you can ensure that you obtain the compensation you need to heal. Contact our firm today to get started.
What are New Jersey’s social host liability laws?
New Jersey has enacted social host liability laws that allow an injured person to pursue legal action and recover damages from any social host who supplied alcohol to an intoxicated person of lawful drinking age at a party or similar event when that guest goes on to cause an alcohol-related accident. In order to bring a successful claim, the injured party generally must demonstrate:
- the person who caused the injuries was visibly intoxicated in the presence of the host, or
- the situations created an “unreasonable risk” of harm to life or property, and
- the injury resulted from a motor vehicle accident caused by the intoxicated person who was served by the social host.
Also, in New Jersey, if a social host negligently serves a minor who then causes injury to someone else, the injured party may have a potential claim against the social host for negligence.
Can I obtain compensation for my injuries?
In terms of compensation, liability in dram shop and social host cases is defined exclusively in terms of money damages, paid by the defendant or the defendant’s insurer to the injured person. The most common kinds of damages in these cases include the following:
- Bills for rehabilitation or therapy
- Lost wages
- Medical and hospital bills
- The value of household services and childcare the injured person would otherwise have performed
property damage - Pain and suffering
It is also important to understand that the state of New Jersey also permits those hurt in dram shop and social host liability claims to seek punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are planned to penalize poor cases of misconduct, including gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional bad behavior.
It is important to recognize that the state of New Jersey has a statute of limitations of two years for dram shop claims. Although, the court recognizes that the facts of each case are different, which is why you should reach out to a skilled Essex County personal injury attorney right away to ensure that you and your future are protected.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
If you or someone you know has sustained an injury, whether on the job, on the road, due to a medical professional’s negligence, or otherwise, our firm is here. Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC has helped countless victims of negligence over the years, and we are ready to do the same for you. Contact our firm today so we can get started.
