One day after the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled firefighters and police officers can now sue citizens for on-the-job injuries, the issue of negligence is open for debate.

Since the 1960s, police officers and firefighters have been restricted from suing for on-the-job injuries. This week?s ruling gives them the chance to sue if they are injured as a result of someone?s negligence when responding to a fire or a crime.

?We face dangers everyday, we?re used to that. We do get hurt, but if it?s the homeowners? fault, it is what it is,? says Newark Firefighter Union President Chuck West. He adds when dangerous and needless obstacles cause a firefighter to get hurt, people need to be held accountable.

Some say the definition of negligence is open for debate. Fire officials say a house fire caused by a lightning strike is not negligence on the part of the homeowner. However, they say someone who has dangerous conditions in a house known to cause fires could be liable if a firefighter is injured.