17:29B-15 Enforceability of insurance release, waiver of rights under certain circumstances.

3. a. No insurance release or waiver of rights by a claimant to compensation for personal injury or wrongful death arising from an accident or disaster executed within 30 days after the date on which the accident or disaster occurred shall be enforceable unless the claimant, prior to execution of the release or waiver, receives a written disclosure informing the claimant that he may seek legal representation, and further informing the claimant of his rights pursuant to this act.

The written disclosure shall be clearly readable, in 12-point bold type and shall include the following:

"New Jersey law guarantees to accident and disaster victims the right to review and cancel an insurance release or waiver of rights to compensation for personal injury or wrongful death arising from an accident or disaster if the insurance release or waiver is signed by the claimant within the 30-day period immediately following the accident or disaster. Under State law you have 10 days from the day you sign the insurance release or waiver of rights to file a notice of cancellation with the insurer or agent of the insurer that accepted your release or waiver of rights to compensation. You also may seek the advice of an attorney to review the waiver or release and to represent you if you so choose. Notice of cancellation shall be sent by certified mail to the insurer's or agent's last known address and shall be effective if received by the 10th day following the signing of the release or waiver."

b. An insurance release or waiver of rights by a claimant to compensation for personal injury or wrongful death arising from an accident or disaster, and executed within the 30-day period following the accident or disaster, may be reviewed by the claimant or the claimant's attorney and may be rescinded within the 10-day period following the execution of the waiver or release by the claimant. Any consideration or thing of value which has passed between the parties prior to rescission of a release or waiver shall be returned. An insurer may withhold payment of the proceeds from settlements made within the 30-day period until the 10-day waiting period has expired.

c. The rights and remedies accorded by the provisions of this section shall be in addition to and cumulative of any other rights and remedies under law and nothing herein shall be construed to deny, abrogate or impair any such right or remedy.

L.1999,c.325,s.3.