Court: Fund can pay medical bills for illegal aliens in accidents

By JEFFREY GOLD
Associated Press Writer
May 18, 2006, 4:14 PM EDT

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey's Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously ruled that illegal immigrants injured by uninsured drivers can have medical costs covered by a fund whose money comes from insurance fees.

The 7-0 decision by New Jersey highest court, which reverses two lower court rulings, comes as lawmakers in Washington and Trenton consider how to deal with illegal immigration.

"It's a victory for a lot of injured people who were being denied benefits because they are not legal residents," said Victor M. Covelli, a lawyer for Victor Manuel Caballero, a Mexican who was a car passenger when hurt in 2001, five months after he came to live with family members in Bradley Beach.

The decision could have statewide financial impact. Covelli said he had 20 clients who might now qualify for benefits. New Jersey has about 360,000 illegal immigrants, or about 4 percent of the population, according to the Pew Hispanic Center.