In New Jersey, one small box on your car insurance policy can determine whether you’re fairly compensated after a crash — or left paying the price yourself.
Our Client’s Story
After a serious collision, our client’s MRI revealed spinal disc damage. She endured more than 40 physical therapy sessions, multiple epidural injections, and continues to experience daily neck, back, and hip pain.
Yet the defendant’s insurance company sent her to one of their own doctors. These doctors are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to perform thousands of “independent” medical exams. Their reports almost always read the same way: “Minor strain. Fully resolved.”
Despite clear MRI findings and years of treatment, their goal is simple — to help insurance companies avoid paying fair compensation.
Why We Must Prove Permanent Injury
Unfortunately, our client had selected the “Limitation on Lawsuit” (Verbal Threshold) option on her auto insurance policy. That means the law requires us to prove she suffered a “permanent injury” before she can recover any compensation for pain and suffering.
Because of that choice, our firm must ensure that every injury is properly documented — from the first ER visit and MRI scan to every physical therapy session and pain management treatment. We work closely with top medical professionals, so our clients receive quality care and the records necessary to support their claim.
If she had chosen the “No Limitation on Lawsuit” (No Threshold) option instead, we wouldn’t have to meet this high legal standard. There would be no need for multiple expert reports, rebuttal exams, and the expense of trial — all of which could have been avoided by selecting the right insurance coverage.
A “Battle of the Experts”
Because the insurance company’s paid doctor has claimed our client’s injury “resolved", this case will now come down to a battle of the experts.
On one side, the defense will present their highly paid medical expert — someone who never treated the patient and spent less than ten minutes examining her.
On the other side, we will present the treating physicians and medical specialists who have seen her progress, documented her pain, and can clearly testify that the injuries are permanent.
This scenario plays out across New Jersey every day, and it’s the direct result of drivers choosing the cheaper “Limitation on Lawsuit” option without understanding the consequences.
Your Insurance Choice Matters
When you buy or renew auto insurance in New Jersey, you’re offered two options:
Limitation on Lawsuit (Verbal Threshold) You can only sue if you prove a “serious permanent injury.”
No Limitation on Lawsuit (No Threshold) You can sue for any injury, even minor ones. Most drivers choose the limited option to save a few dollars a month — but that small savings can cost you tens of thousands later if you’re seriously hurt.
The Takeaway
At Mennie Heizler Law Group, we see it every day: injured clients forced to “prove” what their MRI already shows, while insurance companies rely on high-paid doctors to deny claims.
Protect yourself before an accident ever happens.
Choose “No Limitation on Lawsuit” coverage. It may cost a few dollars more, but it protects your right to be heard, to be believed, and to receive the compensation you deserve.
You can’t control who hits you. But you can control how well you’re protected when they do. That’s why we created a guide: to help you make smart, informed insurance decisions that safeguard your health, finances, and legal rights.
Call Today (732) 481-9100 for a Free Consultation with John Mennie or Greg Heizler at our office in Ocean Township or Toms River.
When you hire Mennie Heizler Law Group, you’re not just hiring a law firm—you’re gaining a team that treats you like family.