New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 1I - PROCESSING OF DAMAGE CLAIMS PURSUANT TO THE SANITARY LANDFILL FACILITY CLOSURE AND CONTINGENCY FUND ACT
Subchapter 2 - CLAIMS GENERALLY
Section 7:1I-2.3 - Damages actually incurred; mitigation

(a) A claim shall be ineligible for compensation from the Fund unless the claimant has actually incurred the damages which are the subject of the claim. A claim shall be ineligible for compensation from the Fund to the extent that the damages which are the subject of the claim are contingent or speculative.

(b) A claim shall be ineligible for compensation from the Fund to the extent that the claimant has received compensation from any other source for damages which are the subject of the claim. The claimant shall exercise best efforts to obtain compensation from any other source from which compensation is reasonably likely to be available, including, without limitation, insurance policies, court awards, contractual rights, grants or other financial assistance from the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund, 58:10B-4, the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Fund, 58:10A-37.3 and any other remedies provided under statutory or common law. The Department may suspend processing of any claim pending the completion of the claimant's efforts to obtain compensation from such other sources. In determining the amount of an award, if any, the Department shall reduce the award by the amount of compensation already received by the claimant for the damage which is the subject of the claim.

(c) Claimants must fully disclose an award or settlement received or sought from any other source within 10 days of receiving compensation or within 10 days of seeking compensation from any other source. Failure to disclose such action shall result in denial of the claim.

(d) A claim involving the purchase and subsequent sale of property near a sanitary landfill facility shall be ineligible for compensation if the claimant knew or reasonably should have known of the potential that damages, including, but not limited to, property value diminution, could result by virtue of purchasing property near the particular sanitary landfill facility in question.

(e) The claimant shall exercise reasonable diligence and ordinary care and take affirmative measures to mitigate or prevent the damages incurred by the claimant from occurring in the first instance or from increasing or being aggravated. Additional damages that are the result of claimant's failure to mitigate damages shall not be eligible for compensation from the Fund.

(f) Any costs incurred by the claimant prior to filing of a claim or during the pendency of a claim shall not prejudice the rights of the Department to evaluate the reasonableness of said costs prior to the granting of an award.