What Are the Possible Outcomes of a New Jersey Civil Trial?
A New Jersey civil trial does not always end with one side winning everything. Your business may defeat every claim, lose only some claims, or, in the worst case, lose on all of them and face a judgment requiring it to pay damages or comply with other court-ordered relief.
Keep reading to understand the possible outcomes of a New Jersey civil trial and what each one could mean for your business.
Quick Answer: What Can Happen at the End of a New Jersey Civil Trial?
Your business may defeat every claim the plaintiff brought against it.
The plaintiff may succeed on some claims but lose others.
If the plaintiff proves a claim, the court may require your business to pay damages or comply with another form of relief.
The parties may reach a settlement before the judge makes a decision or the jury returns a verdict.
The trial may not be the final step. Post-trial motions or an appeal may follow the judgment.
What Did the Plaintiff Have to Prove at Trial?
The first question is whether the plaintiff proved that your business was legally responsible for the claim it brought against you. That is the question of liability.
During discovery, the parties gather and exchange much of the evidence they may later use to support their claims and defenses.
If the plaintiff proves that your business is liable, the court must then determine the appropriate remedy. In a case seeking legal damages, a jury may determine the amount of damages if there is a right to a jury trial and one has been demanded; in other cases, the judge determines damages or other relief. The judge may also decide whether to grant equitable remedies, such as an injunction or specific performance.
A plaintiff may prove that your business is liable without proving that it is entitled to everything it asked for. For example, it may prove a breach of contract but recover less in damages than it claimed.
That is why the outcome of your trial may be more complicated than simply saying one side won and the other lost.
What Happens If Your Business Wins at Trial?
The plaintiff may have brought one claim against your business or several. Each claim is considered separately, and the plaintiff has to prove the required elements of each one before it can recover on that claim.
Some claims or issues may also have been resolved before trial through a motion for summary judgment, leaving only the unresolved matters for trial.
Your Business May Win on a Specific Claim
Each claim has its own legal requirements. If the plaintiff fails to prove what is required for one of those claims, your business can prevail on that claim even if other claims remain.
For example, the plaintiff may accuse your business of both breach of contract and fraud. It might prove the breach of contract claim but fail to prove fraud. In that situation, your business would prevail on the fraud claim even though the plaintiff succeeded on the contract claim.
Your Business May Defeat Every Claim
If the plaintiff fails to prove any of the claims it brought against your business, your business can prevail on the entire case. The plaintiff would not receive damages or other relief based on those failed claims.
That does not automatically mean your business will recover everything it spent defending the lawsuit. Attorney's fees and other litigation expenses usually require a separate legal basis for recovery, such as an applicable statute, court rule, or contract provision.
What Can Happen If the Plaintiff Proves a Claim?
If the plaintiff proves a claim against your business, the next question is what relief that claim allows.
Your Business May Be Ordered to Pay Money
If the plaintiff proves a claim that allows monetary relief, the plaintiff still has to prove the damages it is entitled to recover. The types of damages available under New Jersey law depend on the claim and the supporting evidence. Also, the amount it asked for during the lawsuit is not automatically the amount your business will be ordered to pay.
In a breach of contract case, for example, the plaintiff must prove that the breach caused the losses for which it seeks compensation and that those damages are legally recoverable. The judge or jury may therefore award less than the plaintiff originally demanded.
Once the amount is determined, the court enters a judgment requiring your business to pay it.
The Court May Order Your Business to Do or Stop Doing Something
A judgment against your business does not always involve money. Depending on the claim, the plaintiff may seek an injunction or another form of equitable relief requiring your business to stop certain conduct or take a specific action.
That can make the outcome operational as well as financial. But proving liability does not automatically entitle the plaintiff to the equitable relief it requested. The court must still determine whether that remedy is legally available and appropriate under the circumstances.
What Happens After a Verdict or Final Judgment?
After the jury returns a verdict or the trial judge decides the case, either side may have grounds to challenge all or part of the result before the case is finally over.
A Party May File a Post-Trial Motion
The deadline depends on the motion and what happened at trial.
A motion for a new trial must be made within 20 days. Under New Jersey Court Rule 4:49-1, a party seeking a new trial must serve the motion no later than 20 days after the jury returns its verdict. In a trial decided by a judge instead of a jury, the 20 days run from when the court announces its conclusions.
A party may also renew a motion for judgment made during a jury trial. During a jury trial, an attorney may ask the judge to enter judgment because the evidence is not legally sufficient to support the other side’s claim. If the judge denies that request and lets the jury decide the case, Rule 4:40-2 allows the party to raise the request again within 20 days after the verdict or after the jury is released without reaching one.
A motion for reconsideration also has a 20-day deadline. Under Rule 4:49-2, a motion asking the court to reconsider, alter, or amend a final judgment or order generally must be served no later than 20 days after the judgment or order is served on the parties.
A Final Judgment May Be Appealed
A final judgment entered by the New Jersey Superior Court may be appealed to the Appellate Division. An appeal does not mean the case is tried again. Instead, the appellate court reviews what happened in the trial court to determine whether a legal error affected the outcome.
The Appellate Division may leave the judgment in place, change part of the result, or send the case back to the trial court for further proceedings.
If your business receives an unfavorable judgment, you may need to decide whether there are grounds to appeal. If the plaintiff appeals, your business may need to defend the judgment and respond to the issues raised.
Speak With Our New Jersey Business Litigation Attorney
If your business is heading to trial, speak with a civil litigation attorney at Stature Legal about what comes next. Our litigation team includes Daniel Bitonti, who has more than 20 years of legal experience and has litigated matters in New Jersey state and federal courts. He represents business owners in commercial disputes and can help you evaluate your position, prepare for trial, or determine what options may remain after a judgment.
Are you wondering about any of the issues mentioned above? Please email us at info@staturelegal.law or call (732) 320-9831 for assistance.
At Stature Legal, we give business owners the clarity they need to fund, grow, protect, and sell their businesses. We are trustworthy business advisors keeping your business on TRACK: Trustworthy. Reliable. Available. Caring. Knowledgeable.®
FAQ
Does an Appeal Stop the Plaintiff From Enforcing the Judgment?
No. Filing an appeal does not automatically stop enforcement of a New Jersey civil judgment. Your business must request a stay if it wants enforcement paused while the appeal is pending. Without a stay, the plaintiff may still be able to enforce the judgment.
What Happens If My Business Cannot Pay the Judgment Right Away?
If your business cannot pay a money judgment immediately, the plaintiff may use New Jersey judgment-enforcement procedures to collect it. That can include seeking execution against certain business property or funds. Our New Jersey business litigation attorney can help you evaluate payment, settlement, or other options based on the judgment and your circumstances.
Can a Judgment Against My Business Affect My Personal Assets?
Not automatically. For a New Jersey LLC, the company's debts and liabilities generally do not become a member's personal liabilities solely because that person owns or manages the company. Personal exposure can depend on factors such as guarantees, the owner's own wrongful conduct, or another basis for individual liability, so the judgment itself should be reviewed carefully.
Will My Business Insurance Pay a Judgment Against the Company?
Possibly. Whether insurance will cover a judgment depends on the policy, the claim that produced the judgment, applicable exclusions, and the policy limits. Some policies may cover certain liabilities while excluding others. Review the judgment and the insurer's coverage position with your attorney before assuming the business must pay.
Can the Parties Reach a Settlement After Trial?
Yes. The parties may still reach a settlement after trial, including while an appeal is pending. New Jersey's Appellate Division operates the Civil Appeals Settlement Program for cases that may be suitable. Any post-trial settlement should address what happens to the judgment, payment obligations, and any pending appeal or further proceedings.