$975,000
Illegal Tree Excavation — Premises Liability
What Happened
A contractor performed excavation work near a tree on or adjacent to our client’s property without authorization. The excavation destabilized the root system and surrounding soil structure that had been holding the tree in place. Not long after the work was completed, the tree collapsed – directly into our client’s home.
The Injuries
Our client was inside the home when the tree struck it. The force of the impact caused physical injuries, including soft tissue damage to the spine. Physicians evaluated our client and determined that future spinal surgery may be necessary depending on how the injuries progressed over time.
In addition to the physical injuries, our client faced the immediate crisis of a damaged home – structural damage, displaced belongings, and the disruption of a life upended without warning.
Establishing Liability
The central legal question was whether the excavation work was unauthorized and whether it directly caused the tree to fall. Jason investigated thoroughly – obtaining records of what permits were pulled (and which were not), consulting with experts on the mechanics of tree failure, and building a clear causal chain between the illegal excavation and the collapse.
Once liability was established, the focus shifted to demonstrating the full extent of the damages: the physical injuries, the possibility of future surgery, and the disruption caused to our client’s life and home.
The Result
The case resolved for $975,000. The settlement reflected both the physical injuries our client sustained and the possibility of future medical intervention.