Lawsuits that cost N.J. taxpayers the most in 2016

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By S.P. Sullivan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

In 2016, New Jersey taxpayers were on the hook for $87.7 million in lawsuits paid out by the state Attorney General’s Office, according to data obtained by NJ Advance Media through a public records request.

That figure is down from last year’s record $98.2 million.

$178.9 million brought in

The office, which typically represents state entities in civil matters, also brought in$178.9 million, which was far less than the unprecedented $450 million recovered in 2015.

Here's a look at some of the 23 lawsuits that resulted in payouts over $1 million:

Medical malpractice suits

The five largest payouts, ranging from $3.75 million to $5 million, came from wrongful death, medical malpractice and substandard care suits filed against public medical facilities in the Garden State. 

Claims against public hospitals make up nearly half the million-dollar payouts in 2016. They include the Rutgers University Hospital, formerly known as University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the Jersey Shore University Medical Center. 

NJ Transit racial discrimination suit

Last year, NJ Transit agreed to pay $3.65 million to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by current and former employees, some of whom claimed they were subject to racial insults by supervisors. 

An attorney for some of the plaintiffs told NJ Advance Media last year there was "an absolute failure to investigate and monitor" claims of race discrimination and unequal pay. 

Since the settlement was announced, one of the lead plaintiffs, Pia Wilson, has filed another lawsuit, claiming she faced retaliation over the settlement. 

Neglect of developmentally disabled

The horrific deaths of two developmentally disabled women living in adult foster homes led to a new law toughening oversight of such facilities. And after years of litigation, the families of Tara O'Leary and Lydia Joy Perry were paid $2.7 million in a suit against the state Department of Human Services. 

Star-Ledger file photo

Child services suits

The state made large payouts in two lawsuits filed against the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly known as DYFS). It paid $2.6 million to the estate of a young South Plainfield boy, Tyler Lamont Davis, to resolve a lawsuit alleging the division failed to investigate abuse allegations leading up to his death in a house fire in 2012. 

The state paid $1.25 million to a minor identified in court papers as S.B.K. who was allegedly physically and psychologically abused in state custody. 

NJ Transit, DOT injury suits

NJ Transit made payouts in at least 18 cases last year, according to the state data. They include a $2.5 million settlement with Frank DeJesus for "serious injuries" sustained on NJ Transit property (details of the case were not readily available). 

NJ Transit also settled for just under $2 million with Ernesto Abril, a pedestrian who was struck by a public bus while crossing the street in Jersey City in 2013. 

The state Department of Transportation also paid $2 million to a man injured in a 2010 crash on Highway 68 in Burlington County, Mark Semus, according to court documents.

Jersey Journal file photo

Tax court cases

Three large corporate entities received big payouts to resolve tax court disputes with the state of New Jersey. Fia Card Services got $2.1 million, Bank of America got $1.9 million and the Ford Motor Credit Company got $1.8 million. 

Bennett Barlyn's whistleblower suit

The state agreed to pay $1.5 million to a former Hunterdon County assistant prosecutor who claimed he was fired for raising the alarm that Gov. Chris Christie's administration dismissed an indictment because it involved supporters of the governor. 

That wasn't all taxpayers were on the hook for -- the state paid an outside law firm more than $3 million to fight the charges for more than six years before settling. 

Michael Mancuso/NJ Advance Media

SEARCH THE SETTLEMENTS AND JUDGMENTS

Below is a database of all payouts made by the Attorney General's Office on behalf of public entities in 2016.

Records were compiled as part of an Open Public Records Act filed annually with the state Division of Law by NJ Advance Media.