Bergen County can’t be sued for park pothole injury, high court rules

A 1968 law that shields landowners from suits over injuries on their property extends protections to governments, the court found Thursday.

By: Nikita Biryukov

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: January 22, 2026

Words: 353

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Bergen County cannot be sued over a rollerblader’s park pothole injury, New Jersey’s highest court ruled Thursday.

Protections from a 1968 law that shields private landowners from civil liability over injuries on their property to encourage them to allow recreational activities there extend to public parks and the governments that operate them, New Jersey’s Supreme Court ruled.

“What began as narrow immunity for hunting and fishing in forested lands has evolved into …

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