What Sets Us Apart from Other New Jersey Attorneys
Most personal injury attorneys learned everything they know about medicine from other lawyers. Mark T. Sadaka took a different path. Before becoming a lawyer, he earned his Master of Science in Public Health from Tulane University, with a specialization in toxicology and risk assessment.
Mark T. Sadaka’s Unique Qualifications
Legal Credentials | Medical Expertise |
| J.D., Washington University School of Law | Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) |
| Licensed in New Jersey since 2004 | Toxicology & risk assessment specialization |
| Super Lawyers recognition 2016-2025 | Virology expertise for complex litigation |
| 20+ years of personal injury experience | Clinical understanding of injury mechanisms |
We are a science and law hybrid that understands the context of these medically and scientifically complicated cases.” – Mark T. Sadaka
This unique educational foundation means we don’t just practice law, but we also understand the science behind your injuries. When you’re dealing with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, complex fractures, or injuries from defective medical devices or pharmaceuticals, this medical expertise becomes invaluable.
Why our medical expertise matters for your case:
- We identify medical issues that other lawyers miss
- We communicate effectively with your treating physicians
- We challenge insurance company medical opinions with scientific authority
- We understand how injuries truly impact your life and earning capacity
Our approach has made Sadaka Law uniquely qualified to handle injury cases that other attorneys simply don’t understand, helping us achieve results that speak for themselves.
Take These Critical Steps After Your Injury
Your actions in the first 48 hours can make or break your case. Insurance companies mobilize their teams immediately to minimize what they’ll pay you. Here’s how to protect yourself:
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Get medical care even if you feel “fine.” Adrenaline can mask serious injuries for hours or even days after an accident. What feels like minor soreness today could be a herniated disc or concussion that doesn’t fully manifest until later.
Document everything:
- All symptoms, no matter how minor they seem
- Follow all doctor recommendations
- Attend every appointment
- Keep all medical records and bills
2. Handle Insurance Communications Carefully
When you contact your insurance company to report the accident, stick to the basic facts: who, what, when, and where.
Do:
- Notify the police and your insurance company of the accident
- Provide basic factual information
Don’t:
- Give recorded statements without an attorney present
- Sign anything without legal review
- Accept quick settlement offers
3. Preserve All Evidence
- Take photos of the accident scene, all vehicles involved, and any visible injuries
- Get contact information from witnesses. Their accounts may be crucial later.
- Keep all documentation related to your accident
- Don’t repair or dispose of damaged property until you have consulted with an attorney
4. Contact an Attorney Within 24-48 Hours
Evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses forget details or become harder to reach. Insurance companies work fast to build their defense. Having legal representation from the earliest stages protects your rights and ensures nothing important is overlooked.
Understanding New Jersey Personal Injury Law
New Jersey has some of the most complex personal injury laws in the country. Understanding these laws can mean the difference between full compensation and getting nothing at all.
New Jersey’s “Choice No-Fault” Insurance System
New Jersey operates under a unique system where your insurance initially covers medical bills and lost wages if you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. However, you can still sue the at-fault party for additional damages if your injury meets New Jersey’s “serious injury threshold.”
What qualifies as a “serious injury” under New Jersey law?
- Death
- Loss of a limb or severe disfigurement
- Loss of a pregnancy
- Broken or fractured bones that are out of place
- Long-term injuries that affect your ability to function
The challenge is that insurance companies will deny that your injury meets this threshold. This is where our medical expertise becomes crucial. We understand the clinical evidence required to demonstrate that your injury meets the legal standards for recovery.
Critical Time Limits You Must Know
| Deadline | Requirement | Consequences of Missing |
| 2 years | File a personal injury lawsuit from the accident date | Claim permanently barred |
| 90 days | File certain insurance claims | May lose insurance benefits |
| Immediate | Notify the police and insurance company of the accident | Potential coverage denial |
New Jersey’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
You can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, but there are important limitations:
- If you’re 50% or less at fault: You can recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of responsibility
- If you’re 51% or more at fault: You recover nothing
Example: If you’re 30% at fault in a $100,000 case, you would receive $70,000.
Insurance companies will do everything they can to shift blame to you, which is why having professional legal representation is essential.
Our Practice Areas
What Compensation Can You Recover?
When you’re seriously injured, the financial impact extends far beyond your immediate medical bills. We fight to recover every dollar you’re entitled to, including compensation for losses you might not have even considered.
Economic Damages (Calculable Financial Losses)
Medical Expenses:
- Hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, medications
- Medical equipment and assistive devices
- Ongoing treatment and therapy
Lost Income & Earning Capacity:
- Wages you’ve already lost due to the injury
- Future earning capacity if injury prevents return to previous work
- Lost benefits and career advancement opportunities
- Reduced work capacity or need for career changes
Other Financial Losses:
- Property damage and replacement costs
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Home modifications to accommodate disabilities
- Cost of hiring help for tasks you can no longer perform
Non-Economic Damages (Personal Losses)
These compensate you for losses that can’t be easily quantified in dollars:
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish
- Loss of Life’s Enjoyment: Activities, hobbies, and pleasures you can no longer enjoy
- Disability and Disfigurement: Permanent physical limitations and scarring
- Loss of Consortium: Impact on relationships with spouse and family
Factors That Influence Your Case Value
| Increases Value | May Decrease Value |
| Severe, permanent injuries | Minor injuries that heal completely |
| Clear liability (other party’s fault) | Shared fault for the accident |
| Strong medical documentation | Gaps in medical treatment |
| Young age (more lost earning years) | Pre-existing medical conditions |
| High income (greater economic loss) | Delayed medical treatment |
Important: Unlike some states, New Jersey doesn’t cap most personal injury damages, meaning we can pursue full compensation for catastrophic injuries without artificial limits.
Our Proven Track Record
- $100+ million recovered for personal injury clients
- 30+ years of combined experience in complex injury cases
- Thousands of injured people successfully represented
- Super Lawyers recognition for Mark Sadaka from 2016-2025
Recent Case Examples
- $5.3M recovery for executive who suffered vaccine-related neurological injury
- $3.2M recovery for child who developed autoimmune condition
- $900,000 recovery for assault victim with traumatic brain injury
- $250,000 recovery for slip and fall with shoulder and hand injuries
FAQs
A personal injury case happens when someone gets hurt because another person was careless or did something wrong. It could be from a car accident, a fall, or even a defective product. If you’re injured, you can ask for money to help cover things like medical bills, lost wages, or pain. Most cases are settled through insurance, but some go to court if both sides can’t agree.
Almost all personal injury attorneys work on a ‘contingency fee’ basis, which means that the attorney receives their compensation as a percentage of the final judgement or settlement. If the attorney isn’t able to win your case, you don’t have to pay them a cent. It also means that you don’t have to worry about paying your attorney up front or hourly.
If you can show that your injuries were due to the negligence of another party, you have a claim. The best way to know whether or not you have a good claim is to speak to an attorney. Many attorneys will offer a free initial consultation where they review the details of your claim and decide whether or not you can pursue it further.
The idea of damages is to fully compensate you for your injuries and place you in a position similar to where you’d be if the injury hadn’t happened. Damages are typically calculated by taking two different aspects of the injury into account.
The first aspect is the strictly financial one, which focuses on the economic damage of the injury. These factors include things like medical bills, loss of wages that you incurred while recuperating, loss of income if you are unable to work after the accident, property damage, and even ongoing medical care.
The second aspect is the non-economic one. Non-economic damages are trickier to calculate since it involves assigning a financial cost to something that is usually priceless. Non-economic damages include compensation for physical pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
Finally, in rare instances, the judge will also assign punitive damages. These act as a punishment to deter others from similar, negligent conduct. Punitive damages only happen in cases where it was clear that the defendant acted with malice or wanton disregard for the safety of others.
The more severe your injuries, the more your case will be worth in damages. An attorney can provide you with an estimate when you first discuss your case with him or her.
Many factors can influence the length of a personal injury case. In general, it will take between one to two years from filing to trial. After the case is filed, the discovery process usually takes the longest. This is where both legal parties examine the other’s claims. It includes both parties exchanging questions and documents, as well as getting depositions from all relevant witnesses. The more complex the case, the longer the discovery process can take.
Once the discovery process period ends, both parties will start talking about settlement and damages. While lawyers may try to negotiate between themselves to settle, the more common process is mediation. In mediation, both lawyers and clients meet with a mediator and try to reach an agreement to settle the case. If the defendant feels they have a strong case, they may offer lower settlement figures than the plaintiff feels is fair. The plaintiff can then choose to settle out of court or take the process further.
If mediation fails, the next step is to go to trial. Trials can last anywhere from a day to weeks, depending on the complexity of the case. Most trials only take place for half of the day, which can extend an already lengthy process further.
Once you settle, either through mediation or through the court system, you can expect to get your compensation within 14 – 28 days. Some insurance companies move quicker and can pay within a few days after you’ve agreed upon a settlement amount.
Ready to Get the Justice You Deserve?
Your free consultation with Sadaka Law is more than just a case evaluation; it’s your opportunity to understand your rights, options, and the true value of your claim. Mark Sadaka personally reviews every case, bringing both his legal expertise and medical background to bear on your situation.
What Your Free Consultation Includes:
- Complete Case Analysis: We’ll listen carefully to your story and review all available evidence, analyzing your case through our unique medical-legal lens.
- Clear Explanation of Options: We’ll explain your legal options in plain English, without confusing legal jargon, so you can make informed decisions.
- Holistic Case Assessment: We’ll provide an assessment of your case’s potential value and any challenges you might face.
- Strategic Planning: If we take your case, we’ll outline our strategy for achieving the best possible outcome.
Bring These Documents to Your Consultation:
Medical Documentation:
- All treatment records from healthcare providers
- Test results, scans, and diagnostic reports
- Physician notes and treatment plans
- Bills and prescriptions
Legal Documents:
- Police report from your accident
- Your insurance policies (auto, health, disability)
- Any correspondence from insurance companies
- Work records showing lost time
Evidence:
- Photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Witness contact information
- Documentation of all expenses and losses
- Repair estimates for property damage
Our Process is Simple:
- CONTACT US: Call (800) 810-3457 or submit through our online form below
- FREE CONSULTATION: Meet with Mark Sadaka to discuss your case
- WE INVESTIGATE: If we take your case, we handle everything while you recover
- WE FIGHT FOR YOU: We pursue maximum compensation through negotiation or trial
