ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
New Jersey Violent Crime Victim Lawyer
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: October 2, 2026
On This Page
- Why Choose Andreozzi + Foote as Your New Jersey Violent Crime Attorney
- Can You File a Civil Lawsuit for a Violent Crime in New Jersey?
- Types of Violent Crime Cases We Handle in New Jersey
- Who Else May Be Held Liable for a Violent Crime in New Jersey?
- Compensation Available in a New Jersey Violent Crime Civil Case
- NJ Victims of Crime Compensation Office Claims vs. a Civil Lawsuit
- New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations for Violent Crime Civil Claims
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Speak With a New Jersey Violent Crime Lawyer Today
The effects of a violent crime often last long after the immediate danger has passed. While criminal charges may provide some sense of justice, they don’t address the financial burdens placed on injured victims or families who have lost a loved one. A civil lawsuit is a separate path to accountability that can provide the compensation victims and families need to recover and rebuild their lives.
At Andreozzi + Foote, our violent crime civil lawyers are here to help you pursue justice and compensation to address the lasting impacts of a violent crime. With an office in Hamilton, New Jersey, our firm is available to discuss your legal options in a free and confidential consultation.
Why Choose Andreozzi + Foote as Your New Jersey Violent Crime Attorney
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent crime victims nationwide, bringing more than 50 years of combined experience in handling complex, high-stakes cases. Our attorneys have the skill and dedication needed to take on challenging claims involving serious injuries and large institutions.
When you choose us, you can expect the following:
- Trauma-informed legal representation: We understand the impact of violent crimes and provide respectful guidance throughout the legal process.
- Comprehensive investigations: Our team examines security concerns, prior incidents, and available evidence to understand how a property owner’s failures may have contributed to your injuries.
- Trial-ready attorneys: We prepare every case to achieve the strongest possible outcome through settlement or trial.
- A commitment to accountability: We have a proven record of achieving meaningful results and holding institutions responsible when they fail to protect people from harm.
- No upfront fees: You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Life-Changing Results For Victims And Their Families
What Survivors Say About Us
- Amanda B.
- Ernesto M.
- Jessica B.
Can You File a Civil Lawsuit for a Violent Crime in New Jersey?
Yes, you may file a civil lawsuit over a violent crime in New Jersey. A lawsuit allows a victim to seek compensation from the attacker and anyone else who contributed to the harm. Depending on the circumstances, a victim may also have a claim against a business, property owner, landlord, or another third party whose actions or failures enabled the crime.
Civil lawsuits are separate legal actions from criminal cases. A criminal charge is not required to bring a civil claim. This means a victim may have legal options even when the attacker has never been convicted, charged, or even identified.
The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case. In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A civil claim generally requires you to show that your version of events is more likely true than not.
Types of Violent Crime Cases We Handle in New Jersey
Our firm helps survivors and families hold negligent institutions accountable when their actions or failures contribute to violent crime. We represent clients in a wide range of civil cases, including those involving:
- Sexual abuse and assault
- Child abuse
- Physical assault
- Shootings
- Stabbings
- Human trafficking
- School violence
- Workplace violence
- Wrongful death
The list above is not exhaustive. If you or a loved one has been the victim of another type of violent crime, our firm may still be able to help. We encourage you to contact our team for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and whether a civil claim may be available.
Who Else May Be Held Liable for a Violent Crime in New Jersey?
Responsibility for a violent crime does not always end with the person who committed the attack. In some cases, another person or organization may have had a legal duty to protect the victim or address a known risk. When that duty is ignored, and someone is harmed, that third party may also be held liable for the victim’s losses.
Depending on the circumstances, other responsible parties may include:
- Property and business owners: May be responsible for failing to address known security risks
- Hotels and motels: May face liability when inadequate security contributes to an assault
- Employers: May be responsible for certain actions by an employee
- Youth organizations: May be liable when they fail to protect children under their care
We believe accountability should extend beyond the attacker when others contributed to the harm. Our firm investigates institutional failures and pursues claims against every party that may be legally responsible.
Compensation Available in a New Jersey Violent Crime Civil Case
Compensation in a civil lawsuit can help survivors and families manage the financial burdens and long-term effects that often follow a violent crime.
Victims can generally seek compensation for the following damages:
- Medical costs and ongoing treatment
- Counseling and mental health support
- Future treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages for eligible family members
The compensation available in each case depends on the specific facts and the full impact of the harm. Factors such as the severity of injuries, the cost of recovery, the effect on a person’s ability to work, and the lasting changes caused by the crime may influence the damages a survivor or family may seek.
NJ Victims of Crime Compensation Office Claims vs. a Civil Lawsuit
The New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office compensates certain victims for some expenses resulting from a violent crime. Claims with the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, or VCCO, and civil lawsuits offer separate ways for victims of violent crimes in New Jersey to seek financial compensation. Here is how they compare:
| Claims with the Victims Of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) | Civil Lawsuit |
|---|---|
| A state-regulated program that provides financial assistance for eligible crime-related expenses | A legal action allowing victims to seek compensation from the person who caused the harm or another party that may be legally responsible |
| Covers medical costs, counseling, lost income, funeral expenses, crime-scene cleanup, and other qualifying expenses | Provides compensation for medical costs, counseling, therapy, lost income, funeral expenses, and other economic costs |
| Does not compensate for pain and suffering, stolen or damaged property, excluding cash | Provides compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages; may cover stolen or damaged property |
| Generally capped at $25,000 per claim, although certain benefits have their own set limits | Damages generally not capped |
Victims may pursue both paths for compensation. Neither an arrest nor a conviction is a prerequisite for filing a civil lawsuit or a VCCO claim.
New Jersey's Statute of Limitations for Violent Crime Civil Claims
The deadline for filing a violent crime lawsuit in Pennsylvania depends on the type of claim and the circumstances of the case. General timeframes include:
- Assaults and batteries: Victims generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a civil lawsuit for crimes such as shootings or stabbings. The deadline is tolled, or paused, for child victims, generally giving them until their 20th birthday to file suit.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: Families generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Sexual abuse lawsuits: Adult victims have seven years from the abuse or the date of reasonable discovery of the harm’s link to abuse, whichever is later, to file a civil lawsuit. Minor victims have until their 55th birthday or seven years from the date of reasonable discovery of the harm’s relation to the abuse, whichever is later, to file.
Exceptions may apply that can alter these deadlines. Because filing late can prevent you from pursuing compensation, it is important to consult with an attorney to determine which deadline applies to your claim as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Sue for a Violent Crime in New Jersey Even if No One Was Criminally Charged?
Can I Still Sue if My Attacker Has No Money or Assets?
Does a Civil Case Affect the Criminal Prosecution?
No, a civil lawsuit does not affect criminal prosecution. Civil and criminal cases are separate legal proceedings with different purposes. The outcome of one does not automatically determine the outcome of the other.
What if the Person Responsible Cannot Pay?
A third-party claim may be a legal option when the person who committed the crime cannot pay. Depending on the circumstances, a business, property owner, landlord, or organization may be responsible if its negligence contributed to or enabled the attack. Whether you can pursue this type of claim depends on the specific facts of your case.
Speak With a New Jersey Violent Crime Lawyer Today
If you believe an organization’s actions or failures contributed to a violent crime, Andreozzi + Foote can help you understand your legal options. We represent survivors and families in civil claims against businesses, property owners, employers, and others whose negligence contributed to the harm they’ve experienced.
We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no cost to you unless we recover compensation for you.
Take the first step toward justice. Contact us online or call (866) 311-8640 today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a New Jersey violent crimes lawyer.