Fallen Trees Create Problems in Citrus Heights
Reports of fallen trees have kept crews busy in Citrus Heights lately as local resident, Linda Powers, knows only too well. An enormous 200-foot-tall pine tree crashed down on her property on February 27 in the middle of the night. She heard it and believed it was thunder but found out otherwise in the morning when she discovered her tree had fallen, causing minor damage to her Jeep and tearing the property’s sprinkler system and fence out of the soil. Thank goodness, the tree missed landing on the house, and no one was injured.
Cause and Prevention of Falling Trees
The culprits were thought to be the wind and recent rain, which have kept clean up crews busy lately all around the Sacramento area. According to the crews that deal with fallen trees and limbs, they’ve seen a large number of pines and redwoods in Citrus Heights that are damaged or have fallen due to the recent weather. They say that thinning the tops of the trees and doing regular maintenance is important to prevent them from becoming damaged or toppling during bad weather.
Injuries Caused by Fallen Trees
Damages and injuries caused by fallen trees usually fall under the category of premises liability. Under California Civil Jury Instructions, an individual who is in control of a property such as a homeowner, lessor or occupier can be held responsible if that property isn’t maintained in a condition that is reasonably safe. However, the case is different if the unsafe condition is obvious such as the above accident. The neighbor in the above case said that the tree alarmed her because every year it was leaning more and more.
Injuries Suffered by a Falling Tree
Although they don’t look like it, the average hardwood tree can weigh up to 50 tons, and a pine that is about 50 feet tall can weigh 2000 pounds. If that tree or one of its larger branches lands on you, your vehicle or your home, it can do a lot of damage. This is why serious injuries such as brain trauma or spinal cord damage and fatalities occur. Dangers from fallen/falling trees or limbs can include:
- Sidewalks can become dangerous due to upheavals and tree roots from fallen trees.
- A branch or tree that hits a power line can cause an electrocution hazard.
- Motor vehicle accidents can arise from a falling tree or a roadway blocked by debris.
- A falling limb or tree itself can strike a passerby, causing severe injuries or a fatality.
Getting Help After an Accident Injury
When a tree causes an injury due to a negligent property owner or other entity, fair compensation may be claimed to pay for your lost wages, medical care, and other expenses. An attorney who is experienced in these types of cases can help by dealing with the insurance company for you or by gathering the evidence needed to present a strong case in civil court to recover personal injury damages.
Sacramento Tree Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento tree injury lawyer. Accidents that involve a falling tree can be complicated, and this is why you need help to obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Please call me for my free and friendly advice at (916) 921-600. For other parts of Northern California, you can reach me toll-free at (800) 404-5400 or through my online form at this link.
Learning about a law practice is a good way to decide who to call when you need legal advice about your injury. The following pages are to reviews by my clients and peers as well as some of the cases my firm has handled:
During my 37 years in practice, I’ve helped many residents from the Sacramento area and surrounding Northern California in obtaining compensation for cases involving wrongful deaths, traumas such as brain injuries and all types of car accidents.
Million Dollar Forum is a group only open to trial lawyers who have obtained more than $1 million for a client, and I am a California member. In addition, I am proud to belong to the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, which only invites lawyers they believe uphold the highest standards in their law practices.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/forest-wood-tree-trunk-branch-3223167/
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