N.J. Stat. § 9:1-1

The father and mother of a minor child are equally entitled to its services and earnings. If one of the parents be dead, has abandoned the child, or has been deprived of its custody by direction of court, the other is entitled to such services and earnings. The parents jointly may maintain an action for the loss of the wages or services of their minor child when such loss is occasioned by an injury, wrongfully or negligently inflicted upon such child. If one of the parents be dead, has abandoned the child, has been deprived of its custody by direction of court or refuses to sue, the other may sue alone. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to supersede, limit, modify or affect the provisions of chapter fifteen of Title 34 (s. 34:15-1 et seq.). Amended by L.1953, c. 9, p. 69, s. 1.