Karon K. Johnson, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Roselle Ez Quick LLC, L & J Liquor & Deli, Harshira Patel, Suresh Patel…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed that the 2011 amendment to N.J.S.A. 39:6A-9.1 applies prospectively, not retroactively, and that GEICO's right to reimbursement accrued when the plaintiff filed his PIP claim on August 8, 2010. The Court rejected the plaintiff's arguments about retroactive intent, curative purpose, and party expectations, and upheld the trial court’s summary judgment in favor of GEICO. Justice ALBIN dissented, arguing that the amendment should preclude GEICO reimbursement and that the majority misinterpreted the amendment’s effective date.