Personal Injury Attorney in Passaic County, NJ

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Passaic County

Passaic County’s diverse landscape—from urban centers to suburban communities to rural townships—creates varied accident patterns. We handle all types of personal injury claims:

Slip-and-Fall and Premises Liability

Passaic County’s mix of commercial, residential, and public spaces creates numerous hazards:

Shopping Centers and Retail:

• Willowbrook Mall – Wayne, one of New Jersey’s largest malls
• Route 46 retail corridor – Clifton, Little Falls, Totowa
• Downtown Paterson – Commercial buildings and storefronts
• Neighborhood shopping centers throughout the county

Common retail hazards include:

• Wet or slippery floors without warning signs
• Spilled merchandise and debris in aisles
• Broken or uneven flooring
• Inadequate lighting in parking lots and stairwells
• Ice and snow on walkways and entrances
• Escalator and elevator malfunctions

Residential Properties:

• Broken stairs and railings in apartment buildings
• Defective flooring and carpeting
• Poor lighting in common areas
• Ice and snow on sidewalks and driveways
• Unsafe conditions in multi-family dwellings
• Neglected property maintenance

Public Spaces:

• Government buildings and facilities
• Parks and recreational areas
• Public transit stations and stops
• Municipal sidewalks and streets

Pedestrian Accidents

Passaic County’s urban areas, particularly Paterson and Clifton, see significant pedestrian traffic:

High-Risk Areas:

• Downtown Paterson – Busy commercial district with heavy foot traffic
• Main Street corridors – Clifton, Passaic, and other cities
• School zones – Throughout all 16 municipalities
• Transit stops – Bus stops along major routes
• Great Falls National Historical Park – Tourist destination with pedestrian activity

According to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, there were 40 fatal or serious injury crashes involving pedestrians in Passaic County from 2017 to 2021. Passaic County is actively developing a Local Safety Action Plan to address these concerns.

Medical Malpractice

Passaic County’s major healthcare facilities handle hundreds of thousands of patients annually. When medical professionals make negligent errors, patients suffer:

St. Joseph’s University Medical Center – 651-bed regional trauma center in Paterson St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center – 229-bed acute care hospital St. Mary’s General Hospital – 293-bed facility in Passaic Chilton Medical Center – Atlantic Health facility in Pompton Plains

Medical malpractice claims include:

• Surgical errors and complications
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Medication errors
• Birth injuries and obstetric negligence
• Emergency room errors
• Anesthesia mistakes
• Nursing home neglect

Construction Site Accidents

Passaic County’s ongoing development means construction sites throughout the area:

• Commercial development along Routes 46 and 23
• Residential construction in Wayne, Little Falls, and suburban communities
• Infrastructure improvements on major highways
• Healthcare facility expansions

Even non-workers injured by construction activities may have personal injury claims against contractors and property owners for:

• Falling debris striking pedestrians
• Unsafe sidewalk conditions near construction
• Traffic hazards from construction vehicles
• Inadequate barriers and warnings

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

New Jersey imposes strict liability on dog owners for bite injuries. In Passaic County’s neighborhoods, dog attacks occur in:

• Apartment building common areas
• Parks and recreational spaces
• Sidewalks and public areas
• Dog parks throughout the county

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Passaic County’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities are required to provide safe, quality care. When they fail, residents suffer:

• Falls due to inadequate supervision
• Bedsores from neglect
• Medication errors
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Physical abuse
• Wandering and elopement

Wrongful Death

When negligence causes a fatal injury in Passaic County, surviving family members may pursue compensation for:

• Lost financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills incurred before death
• Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased

Passaic County’s High-Risk Locations

Understanding where accidents happen helps protect yourself and supports your case if you’re injured:

Shopping and Entertainment Districts

• Willowbrook Mall – Major regional shopping destination in Wayne
• Wayne Towne Center – Large retail complex
• Route 46 corridor – Miles of retail and commercial properties
• Downtown Paterson – Historic commercial district
• Center City Mall – Downtown Paterson

Parks and Recreational Areas

• Great Falls National Historical Park – Paterson’s iconic 77-foot waterfall
• Garret Mountain Reservation – County park with trails and overlooks
• High Mountain Park Preserve – Wayne
• Wanaque Reservoir – Recreational area
• Various municipal parks throughout all 16 municipalities

Transit Areas

• Paterson Bus Terminal – Major transit hub
• NJ Transit bus stops along major routes
• Train stations serving commuters

Historic Areas

• Great Falls Historic District – Paterson
• Lambert Castle – Historic landmark in Paterson
• Downtown historic districts in several municipalities

What To Do After an Accident in Passaic County

1. Seek medical attention immediately – St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, St. Mary’s General Hospital, and other Passaic County facilities are available for emergency care
2. Document the scene – Take photos of hazardous conditions, injuries, and the accident location
3. Get witness information – Obtain names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened
4. Report the incident – File reports with property owners, managers, or police as appropriate
5. Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies without consulting an attorney
6. Contact our office – The sooner we begin investigating, the better we can preserve evidence

Proving Your Passaic County Personal Injury Case

Personal injury cases require establishing four key elements:

Duty of Care

Property owners, drivers, and businesses have a legal duty to act reasonably to prevent injuries. In Passaic County, this includes maintaining safe conditions across varied environments—from urban sidewalks to shopping centers to rural roads.

Breach of Duty

We prove that the defendant failed to meet their duty—whether by ignoring maintenance needs, creating hazardous conditions, or acting negligently.

Causation

We establish that the breach directly caused your injuries through medical records, expert testimony, and thorough investigation.

Damages

We document all your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future expenses.

Compensation Available in Personal Injury Cases

Depending on your case, you may recover:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Rehabilitation costs
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages

In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, additional punitive damages may be available to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior.

Why Passaic County Residents Choose Us

We Know Passaic County

From Paterson’s urban neighborhoods to Wayne’s suburban communities, from Clifton’s busy retail corridors to West Milford’s rural landscapes, we understand how accidents happen in Passaic County’s diverse environment.

We Fight for Maximum Compensation

Insurance companies know we’re prepared to take cases to trial. This means better settlements for our clients.

We Handle Everything

From investigation to negotiation to trial, we manage every aspect of your case while you focus on recovery.

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey?

Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, some cases have shorter deadlines, so contact an attorney promptly.

What if I was partially at fault for my injury?

New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence. You can recover damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault, though your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much is my personal injury case worth?

Every case is different. Value depends on the severity of injuries, available insurance coverage, liability strength, and other factors. We provide honest assessments during free consultations.

I fell at Willowbrook Mall. What should I do?

Report the incident to mall security immediately and request an incident report. Document the hazard with photos, get witness information, seek medical attention, and contact our office before providing statements to the mall’s insurance company.

Will my case go to trial?

Most personal injury cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case for trial to maximize settlement leverage.

Do I really need a lawyer?

While you can handle a claim yourself, having an experienced attorney typically results in higher compensation. Insurance companies take represented claimants more seriously.

Contact Our Passaic County Personal Injury Attorneys

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence anywhere in Passaic County—from Paterson to Wayne, from Clifton to West Milford—we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLC
1150 Raritan Rd, Suite 100, Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908) 232-2040

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Fighting for personal injury victims throughout all 16 Passaic County municipalities. Your advocates for fair compensation.