Jersey Central Power & Light Co. v. Melcar Utility Co.
212 N.J. 576
| N.J. | 2013Background
- Jersey Central Power & Light sought damages for underground facility repairs after Melear and Verizon damaged lines in Rockaway, NJ.
- Underground facilities are protected by UFPA, which creates an One-Call Damage Prevention System and requires notices three days prior to excavation.
- N.J.S.A. 48:2-80(d) imposes damages on both facility operators and excavators for marking failures and negligent damage, with disputes under $25,000 directed to the ODS.
- The statutory scheme permits civil remedies and allows judicial and administrative avenues, but subsection (d) hard-codes referral to ODS for <$25,000 claims without a de novo jury-trial right.
- JCP&L moved to dismiss in the Special Civil Part for lack of jurisdiction, arguing mandatory ODS arbitration violates the right to a jury trial for common-law negligence claims.
- Trial court dismissed; Appellate Division affirmed; the Court granted certification to assess whether the statute violates the constitutional jury-trial right.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether N.J.S.A. 48:2-80(d) mandatorily refers <$25,000 claims to ODS | JCP&L contends referral to ODS is mandatory and unconstitutional if it strips jury trial. | Melear/Utiliquest argue mandatory ODS referral is constitutional and consistent with statutory text. | Statute mandatorily directs <$25,000 claims to ODS; mandatory referral invalidates jury-trial rights. |
| Does the UFPA allow a jury trial for property-damage claims rooted in negligence | JCP&L asserts common-law negligence damages require a jury trial. | Respondents contend UFPA damages are statutory, not requiring jury trial. | Constitutional right to jury trial applies; UFPA damages rooted in common law require jury trial. |
| Can the ODS provide a de novo jury trial when statute does not expressly authorize one | Arbitration through ODS could be de novo if needed to preserve jury rights. | ODS processes culminate in arbitration with no express de novo right in the statute. | ODS cannot supply a non-statutory de novo right; no de novo remedy available under (d). |
Key Cases Cited
- Weinisch v. Sawyer, 123 N.J. 333 (1991) (jury-trial right limited to common-law actions)
- Shaner v. Horizon Bancorp, 116 N.J. 433 (1989) (no jury trial for newly created statutory causes of action)
- Kugler v. Banner Pontiac-Buick, Opel, Inc., 120 N.J. Super. 572 (App.Div.1972) (statutory action with monetary relief; no jury trial unless provided)
- Muise v. GPU Inc., 332 N.J. Super. 140 (App.Div.2000) (consumers’ damages from outages; negligence framework; jury trial discussed)
- One 1990 Honda Accord, 154 N.J. 373 (1998) (negligence and public utility context; jury trial considerations)
- Wood v. N.J. Mfrs. Ins. Co., 206 N.J. 562 (2011) (limited equity considerations; contract principles affecting jury rights)