A meritorious case can be lost before anyone reaches the facts. The affidavit of merit in New Jersey requires a sworn expert statement within 60 days of each defendant's answer, and the statute reaches architects, engineers, accountants, attorneys, land surveyors and more, not just doctors. This post covers the deadline, why missing it means dismissal with prejudice, why the Ferreira conference will not save you, and the exceptions that genuinely exist. From the Law Offices o