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A Jackson woman alleges she was injured after falling in a deteriorated school parking lot, while school officials deny responsibility and seek dismissal of the lawsuit.

JACKSON — Jackson Liberty High School and the Jackson Board of Education have denied negligence allegations stemming from a lawsuit filed by a woman who claims she was injured after falling in the school’s parking lot during an event last summer. The defendants’ answer, filed in Ocean County Superior Court, disputes nearly all liability claims and asks the court to dismiss the case.

Key Points

• Plaintiff alleges she fell in a deteriorated parking lot at Jackson Liberty High School.

• The lawsuit claims school officials failed to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition.

• Jackson Liberty High School and the Jackson Board of Education deny negligence and assert numerous legal defenses.

According to the complaint, plaintiff Helene Gulkis was attending a club event at Jackson Liberty High School on July 12, 2025, when she allegedly fell while walking through the parking lot at 125 North Hope Chapel Road. The lawsuit contends the fall was caused by a dilapidated and poorly maintained section of the lot that created a dangerous condition for pedestrians.

The complaint alleges the school district and board of education owned, operated, controlled, and maintained the property and had a duty to inspect, repair, supervise, and keep the premises reasonably safe. Gulkis claims school officials failed to identify and correct hazardous conditions, enforce safety procedures, properly inspect the property, and provide adequate warnings about dangers on the premises.

Plaintiff claims serious injuries

Court filings state Gulkis suffered severe and permanent physical injuries, aggravation of prior injuries, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the alleged fall. The lawsuit further claims she incurred medical expenses and may continue to require treatment in the future.

The complaint also names several unidentified engineering firms, maintenance companies, contractors, public entities, and other fictitious defendants, alleging they may have shared responsibility for the condition of the parking lot.

School district disputes allegations

In their response, attorneys for Jackson Liberty High School and the Jackson Board of Education admitted only that the board owned, operated, and controlled the parking lot where the incident allegedly occurred. The defendants otherwise denied the substantive allegations of negligence and wrongdoing contained in the complaint.

The answer asserts that the school district fulfilled all duties owed to the plaintiff and was not negligent. Defense attorneys further contend that any injuries or damages may have resulted from the actions of third parties or other causes beyond the defendants’ control.

Defendants raise multiple legal defenses

The school district’s filing invokes numerous defenses, including comparative negligence, failure to mitigate damages, governmental immunity, and protections available under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act. Attorneys also argue that the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and reserve the right to challenge procedural issues as the case progresses.

The defendants have requested a jury trial. The lawsuit remains pending in Ocean County Superior Court under docket number OCN-L-000488-26, and no findings of fact or determinations of liability have been made by the court.

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