Supreme Court of New Jersey

Martha Negron

July 23, 1998156 N.J. 296

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division, holding that the plaintiff substantially complied with the two‑year wrongful‑death statute of limitations by filing a timely federal complaint, and therefore the state action filed after the deadline is timely. The Court applied the doctrine of substantial compliance to a substantive statute of limitations, emphasizing legislative intent and flexibility over strict application.