Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Passaic County, NJ

You were driving east on I-80 near the Paterson exit when a pickup truck merged without looking. The collision shattered two vertebrae. In the emergency room at St. Joseph’s, the neurosurgeon tells you the injury is permanent. Your life — your ability to walk, to work, to live independently — has been changed in an instant. While you focus on rehabilitation and adjustment, the legal side of a spinal cord injury claim in Passaic County is already running on a clock. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents people in Passaic County and across New Jersey whose lives have been upended by catastrophic spinal cord trauma. Mr. Sris, the firm’s Owner and Founder, and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined experience to these complex cases. Reach our New Jersey location at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation and discuss your situation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

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Strategy Options for a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

A spinal cord injury case in New Jersey requires a multi-layered strategy from the start. The first task is identifying all possible sources of compensation. If a negligent driver caused the crash, that driver’s liability insurance is the initial target. But in many cases, coverage is insufficient to meet the lifelong costs of a spinal cord injury. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel routinely investigate whether additional insurance policies apply — underinsured motorist coverage, umbrella policies, or the owner of the vehicle if the driver was not the owner.

When the injury occurs on commercial property or a public roadway, a premises liability theory may also apply. For example, a poorly designed entrance ramp or a missing traffic signal can bring a municipality or contractor into the case. Claims against public entities have a strict notice requirement that can be as short as 90 days, so early investigation is critical. The firm’s approach also includes assembling a team of medical experts — neurosurgeons, life-care planners, vocational rehabilitation attorney, and economists — to project the full scope of future care, lost earning capacity, and assistive-device needs. This experienced attorney-driven model is essential because once a settlement or jury award is made, it must last for the remainder of the injured person’s life.

What to Expect Through the Passaic County Civil Division

Spinal cord injury claims are filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division — Civil Part, Passaic Vicinage, located at 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. The court follows the 11th Vicinage procedural rules, including mandatory non-binding arbitration for cases seeking damages below the special-civil-part threshold. Most spinal cord injury claims exceed that amount and remain on the regular civil track where the case proceeds through discovery and, if no settlement is reached, a jury trial.

Discovery in a spinal cord injury case is extensive. The defense will request an independent medical examination (IME) by a physician of its choosing. They will also seek every pre-injury medical record, employment file, and social-media post to challenge the extent of the impairment. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel prepare clients for each step — coaching on deposition testimony, countering defense expert reports with independent experienced attorney review, and negotiating with insurers continuously as evidence develops. No attorney can promise an outcome, but the firm’s extensive experience with catastrophic injury cases means they understand when a settlement offer genuinely reflects the value of the claim and when litigation is the better path. Results may vary.

Damages and the Law in New Jersey

New Jersey applies a modified comparative fault standard. Under et seq., an injured person can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. Crucially, the Garden State does not impose a statutory cap on compensatory damages in personal injury cases — there is no dollar limit on what a jury can award for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. However, claims against government entities are subject to the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, which does impose certain limits on damage recoveries and requires a notice of claim within 90 days in many instances.

The types of damages in a spinal cord injury case span economic and non-economic categories. Economic damages include past and future medical care, rehabilitation, home modifications, vehicle adaptations, and the cost of personal care attendants. Non-economic damages cover physical pain, emotional distress, loss of consortium for a spouse, and the inability to participate in family life. Because the effects of a spinal cord injury are often permanent, the firm works with life-care planners to project costs over the injured person’s expected lifespan. That projection becomes the foundation of the demand for compensation. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey is two years from the date of injury, pursuant to . Missing that deadline bars the claim entirely.

Attorney Credentials

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder, is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He has testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He and his Of Counsel bring an experienced, multi-state perspective to every matter. The firm’s Of Counsel team includes attorneys with backgrounds in civil litigation, insurance defense, and medical-malpractice investigation, all of which directly inform the handling of catastrophic injury claims. The firm serves Passaic County from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St, 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724. Consultations are by appointment and can be scheduled by calling (888) 437-7747. Se habla español.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a spinal cord injury case take in Passaic County?

The timeline for a spinal cord injury case varies widely and depends on whether the matter settles or proceeds to trial. A straightforward liability dispute with a single defendant may resolve in less than a year, while a multi-party case with complex medical evidence can take two years or more. The Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division — Civil Part (Passaic County) schedules discovery deadlines, settlement conferences, and trial dates. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to move the case toward resolution as efficiently as possible while ensuring the full extent of damages is documented. For a better understanding of what to expect in your specific situation, contact (888) 437-7747 to discuss your case.

How much does a spinal cord injury lawyer cost in New Jersey?

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles spinal cord injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning the client pays no attorney’s fee unless the firm obtains a recovery. The fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount. Costs for expert witnesses, medical records, and court filings are typically advanced by the firm and reimbursed from the recovery. The firm’s consultation process includes a discussion of the fee arrangement so that there are no surprises. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.

What is the statute of limitations for spinal cord injury in New Jersey?

Under , a personal injury lawsuit, including a claim for spinal cord injury, must be filed within two years of the date of injury. For claims against a public entity — such as a county transit authority or a municipality — a strict 90-day notice of claim requirement may apply. Failing to meet the notice or filing deadline can permanently bar recovery. Because time runs while you are still undergoing medical treatment, contacting an attorney early is prudent. To discuss deadlines that apply to your situation, call (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a lawyer for a spinal cord injury claim in Passaic County?

You are not required to have a lawyer, but spinal cord injury claims are among the most complex and high-value personal injury cases, and an experienced attorney can identify all available insurance coverage and properly value long-term medical needs. Handling such a claim without legal representation risks accepting a settlement that does not fully account for future care. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have extensive combined legal experience with catastrophic injury claims. Results may vary. For guidance, call (888) 437-7747.

What damages can I recover for a spinal cord injury in New Jersey?

New Jersey allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages in a spinal cord injury case, and there is no statutory cap on compensatory damages. Economic damages include medical bills, rehabilitation, home modifications, assistive technology, and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life. The modified comparative fault rule bars recovery if you are found more than 50 percent at fault. To understand how damages might be calculated in your case, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Who can be held liable for a spinal cord injury in Passaic County?

Liability can extend to any party whose negligence caused the accident that resulted in the spinal cord injury. Common defendants include the at-fault driver, the vehicle’s owner if different from the driver, an employer if the driver was on the job, a commercial trucking company, a product manufacturer if a defective vehicle component contributed, and a government entity for unsafe road design or maintenance. The firm investigates all possible sources of compensation. For a consultation, contact (888) 437-7747.

Request a Consultation

Every spinal cord injury case is unique. To discuss the specific facts of your situation with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, call (888) 437-7747 or visit our New Jersey location at 44 Apple St, 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724. Evening and weekend consultations are available by appointment. The firm serves clients throughout Passaic County, including Paterson, Clifton, Wayne, Passaic City, Totowa, Little Falls, West Milford, Pompton Lakes, Hawthorne, Ringwood, and Wanaque.

For a full statutory breakdown of New Jersey injury law, see our comprehensive analysis at srislawyer.com.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris. Results may vary. Consultations are by appointment only. Lawyer profile information should not be construed as a guarantee of a certain result. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. is a New Jersey debt collector in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; this information is provided for informational purposes only.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.