A recent tide of outrageous lawsuits and vacancies on the State Supreme Court are contributing to a hostile business climate in New Jersey, according to a survey conducted by the Rutgers-Eagleton Institute.

Nearly three quarters of small businesses surveyed said it was "very important" that the Governor and State Senate resolve their impasse in order to fill vacancies on the state's Supreme Court, which began in 2010.

FEMA and Small Business Assistance

Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union County residents and businesses affected by the storm must register with FEMA in order to receive assistance.  The Federal Small Business Association may be able to assist those with businesses in the affected areas.

Donating

Instantly donate $10 to the American Red Cross by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999. Donate online here. For non-cash donations, visit Jersey Shore Hurricane News for the most up-to-date drop-off locations.

Volunteering

Help is needed in the Northern and Coastal parts of the state to sort donations and dispense meals, flashlights, and toiletries.  Jersey Shore Hurricane News has the most up-to-date information about where manpower is most needed, as well as information about gas stations.  The Red Cross also has a mobile app you can use to find blood donation sites.  Access it here to find out where to donate blood.

Eligible voters may cast a ballot at their county clerk's office during regular business hours today and tomorrow.  (Click here for your county clerk's location).  

Voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy may vote at ANY open polling location and may cast a provisional ballot.

For displaced voters with access to the Internet or a fax machine, you may vote by email or fax by downloading an application here. 

For additional questions, please call 1-877-NJVOTER.

News Archive

10/8/12 - Management of the 40-year-old dockside eatery agonized over the decision to end a tradition that had set the place apart from a long line of pubs bragging a great burger and a pint.

But Sherman, the owner, said the restaurant has been sued three times in the last several years over customers who fell. The restaurant reached undisclosed settlements with the plaintiff in each case. He also receives frequent calls from people who claim they fell on the peanut shells the night before, prompting worries over more lawsuits.

"Every time they slip and fall they blame it on the peanuts," he said.

The most successful corporations in the United States view New Jersey's civil justice climate as worse than most, according to a study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Read NJLRA's op-ed in the Star-Ledger to find out

Click here to send a letter to your legislator.

Judge David Rand rejected the plaintiff’s effort to hold the text sender liable.   “Were I to extend a duty of care [to the text sender] in this case, in my judgment any form of distraction could potentially serve as a basis of liability,” he said.

It was a horrible accident: the Morris County teenager, tinkering with unimportant texts while behind the wheel, struck a motorcycle ridden by a couple. They were severely injured and each had a leg amputated. They've described it as being in prison, and their lives will never be the same.

But the couple's attorney has filed a lawsuit against not just the teenager - but the person he was conversing with via text at the time of the accident.