Serving Ocean County And Beyond Since 1979 In All Manner Of Legal Challenges

Experienced Toms River Personal Injury Attorneys

Last updated on May 26, 2026

At R.C. Shea & Associates, Counsellors at Law, we are experienced personal injury lawyers in Toms River and Berkeley Township who represent individuals injured due to someone else’s negligence. We help victims pursue tort claims and civil litigation to help recover compensatory damages. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence in New Jersey, you deserve compassionate support and skilled legal representation.

Our Toms River personal injury law firm’s team includes an attorney certified by both the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Lawyer and the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial Law. We leverage over 35 years of experience helping residents and visitors across Ocean County receive skilled counsel and secure high-stakes settlements and trial verdicts for complex personal injury cases. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to guide you through every step toward recovery and justice.

Why Choose Our Toms River Personal Injury Lawyers

For over 35 years, our firm has provided exceptional legal services to individuals, families and businesses throughout New Jersey for over three decades. What sets us apart is not just our team’s experience but our approach:

Deep community connections: As longtime Toms River residents, we’re deeply invested in our community and closely involved with many local organizations. We don’t just work in the area, we live here.
Personal attention: We provide individualized care and attention to each client.
Proven results: Attorney Michael Deem’s certified trial expertise has helped hundreds of injured clients rebuild their lives.
Accessible communication: We explain complex legal concepts in plain language and keep you informed at every stage.

When you choose R.C. Shea & Associates, Counsellors at Law, you’re not just hiring lawyers – you’re partnering with neighbors who genuinely care about your recovery and future.

The Advantage Of A New Jersey Supreme Court Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney

Mr. Deem is a New Jersey Supreme Court board-certified civil trial attorney. This means that he has undergone an intensive exam, has considerable experience in civil trial law and has earned positive peer recommendations. His certification makes him an expert in New Jersey civil trial law, which includes personal injury.

Being board certified in civil trial law gives attorney Deem an advantage in negotiations and at trial. He is well known for his expertise and many successful outcomes. Opposing counsel, including insurance company lawyers, understands that he is highly skilled, thoroughly prepared and able to take on any other lawyer.

See Some Of Our Case Results

Below are just a few of our many case results.

$1,500,000 jury verdict: motor vehicle accident resulting in back injury
$1,000,000 settlement: car accident resulting in leg injury
$890,000 settlement: slip and fall resulting in back injury

Please see our case results page for more examples of our personal injury verdicts and settlements.

Client Testimonial

My husband and I needed to work with a lawyer due to the tragic loss of our daughter, who was involved in a car accident. We chose Bob Shea & Assoc. What a good decision that was.

Everyone involved in this Law Firm was wonderful. We worked closely with Bob Shea and Kathy Salvaggio. They are the warmest, most compassionate people to deal with. They did everything for us, we didn’t have to worry about anything.

When you’re grieving and in so much pain, you can’t think straight. Bob and Kathy made things go smoothly. Their encouragement and support was endless.

Although the legal part of our situation has ended, we know that they would be there for us day or night.

– Joe and Cheryl from Jackson, NJ

Meet Our Personal Injury Lawyers

Robert C. Shea, Esquire, founding attorney, began practicing law in Toms River in 1979. He is a frequent guest on news outlets such as CNN and Fox News. He has secured multi-million dollar settlements for injured clients and workers. Attorney Shea litigates in the New Jersey Superior Court and handles appeals in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division and the New Jersey Supreme Court. He is active in the American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers’ Association, the National Academy of Elder Attorneys, the New Jersey Bar Association and the Villanova Alumnus Committee.

Michael J. Deem, Esquire, has been Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorney and Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Lawyer since 2012. As of May 2024, he is the only attorney in Ocean County who is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney and Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Lawyer. Mr. Deem has been recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine as one of New Jersey’s top plaintiff’s Personal Injury lawyers since 2014. He is also recognized in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

Christopher Shea, Esquire, earned an LLM (Masters Degree) in Trial Advocacy from the nationally ranked Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. He frequently represents personal injury clients in Federal and State Courts throughout New Jersey.

Your Path To Legal Recovery

When a victim needs to seek legal recourse, hiring a skilled certified civil trial attorney specializing in personal injury to protect their rights and their families is imperative. The attorneys at R.C. Shea & Associates, Counsellors at Law, will aggressively represent your interests, investigate your case, and obtain a monetary award to compensate you and your family for the injuries suffered.

Step 1: Managing Your Medical Care And Expenses

Your health comes first. Our immediate priority is ensuring you receive proper medical treatment while building a case for compensation that covers all your health care expenses. We understand the physical pain and emotional suffering that follows an accident. Having represented countless personal injury cases throughout Ocean County and beyond, we know how to document and present these damages effectively.

Step 2: Securing Full And Fair Compensation

Beyond immediate medical bills, a personal injury lawsuit can help recover damages for lost wages, ongoing rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and support for your family. We work on a contingency fee basis – meaning you pay nothing unless we secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf. This approach allows you to focus on healing while we focus on your case.

Time Limits For Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit In New Jersey

In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, certain circumstances can shorten this timeframe:

Claims against government entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days
Medical malpractice cases may have different deadlines depending on when the injury was discovered
Cases involving minors have extended timeframes

Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation. That’s why consulting with a Toms River personal injury lawyer promptly is crucial.

Common Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Our extensive experience covers a wide range of personal injury scenarios:

Auto and vehicle accidents: We handle car crashes, hit-and-runs, uninsured driver claims and truck/motorcycle collisions, navigating complex insurance issues with proven expertise.
Catastrophic injuries: For traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and severe burns, we collaborate with medical experts to secure compensation covering lifetime care needs.
Premises and product liability: Whether injured in a slip-and-fall accident or by a defective product, our team thoroughly investigates to establish liability and build compelling personal injury claims.
Medical negligence: Our personal injury lawyers work with health care specialists on cases involving surgical errors, birth injuries and nursing home accidents and abuse to identify clear deviations from proper care standards.
Additional practice areas: We represent clients in dog bite cases, wrongful death claims, recreational injuries, construction site accidents and insurance disputes of all types.

Whatever the nature of your injury, our personal injury lawyers in Toms River have the focused experience to handle your case with the attention and skill it deserves.

Common Injuries

Some of the most common personal injuries include:

Broken or crushed bones: Some broken bones never properly heal, leading to disability or amputation.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even a mild TBI can affect your life. Moderate or severe TBIs often require a lifetime of medical care.
Spinal cord injuries: An injury to the spinal cord may cause minor or servere nerve damage. Paraplegia or quadriplegia may be the result in severe cases. Death is also possible.
Internal injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding requires immediate medical care. If untreated, it can be fatal.
Burns: Burn injuries can lead to scarring, amputation and serious infections. You may need reconstructive surgeries and counseling.
Bite wounds: A dog bite can leave permanent scarring as well as the need for amputation and infection control.

You may have suffered additional injuries. Just let our Ocean City personal injury lawyers know and we will tell you how we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injuries In New Jersey

The aftermath of an injury can be overwhelming and confusing. Our Toms River personal injury attorneys are committed to helping clients understand their rights and options, and have answered some common questions below.

What Is A Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is a legal action initiated when someone suffers harm due to another party’s negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct. These claims are common following auto accidents, slip-and-fall incidents and cases involving defective products. The purpose is to hold responsible parties accountable and secure financial compensation for victims.

What Types Of Damages Can I Claim In A Personal Injury Case?

New Jersey personal injury cases typically allow for both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include quantifiable losses like medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. Noneconomic damages cover intangible losses such as pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. While rare in New Jersey, punitive damages may be available in cases of exceptional misconduct.

How Long Does A Personal Injury Case Take?

Each case follows its own timeline. Straightforward claims might be resolved through negotiation within months, while complex or contested cases can take years. The duration typically depends on factors including the severity of injuries, clarity of liability evidence and whether all parties are negotiating in good faith.

What Is The Role Of A Personal Injury Lawyer?

Your personal injury lawyer serves as your advocate, advisor and representative throughout the legal process. We accurately value your claim, handle all paperwork and communications with insurers, gather evidence, consult experts when needed and represent your interests in settlement negotiations or at trial if necessary.

How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?

Studies consistently show that accident victims represented by attorneys typically receive significantly higher settlements than those handling claims independently. A personal injury attorney prevents insurance companies from pressuring you into accepting inadequate offers and ensures all current and future damages are properly accounted for in any settlement.

Experienced Toms River Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

If you’re facing the aftermath of an injury in Ocean County, don’t navigate this challenging time alone. Our Toms River personal injury lawyers are ready to listen to your story and help you understand your options. Please call us today at 732-573-6370, complete our online form, or visit our Toms River office at . Your initial consultation is free, and we’re here to help you take the first step toward recovery.