Catherine P. Gilhooley, Plaintiff-Appellant v. County of Union and Union County Sheriff’s Department…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division and remanded for trial, holding that Mrs. Gilhooley's knee injury constitutes a permanent loss of a bodily function that is substantial, thus allowing pain and suffering damages, and that there is a genuine dispute as to whether her scar constitutes a permanent disfigurement. Justice Verniero dissented, arguing the knee function was fully restored and the majority’s approach was too expansive.