Recent Developments in New Jersey Regarding Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities

• Key point. Churches may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by trespassing children because of a dangerous condition on church property. Churches also may be liable for injuries sustained by adults while attempting to rescue such children from harm.

A New Jersey court ruled that a church may be liable for injuries sustained by a neighborhood child while playing on church premises. A church was located on a large lot without a fence. The lot contained a low point where rain water accumulated. One day it rained quite heavily and a deep pond-like puddle formed in the low area. A 3-year-old child who lived across the street often played on the church's property. She looked out the window of her home and noticed her tricycle on the church's property and wanted to bring it out of the rain. Her mother (the "victim") instructed the little girl to stay in the house and told her that ...