A woman who was visiting New York City from Virginia suffered injuries after a tree fell on her neck. She was walking through Washington Square Park when a large, 35-foot-long tree branch snapped and fell on her neck. Paramedics rushed the 55-year-old woman to Bellevue Hospital. She suffered a skull and spine fracture injury.
After inspecting the tree, the Parks Department concluded that it likely had a fungus. The fungus probably caused the limb to rot and fall off. Falling tree branches cause more injuries in New York City than one might think. Two emergency medical technicians were injured in 2018 after a branch fell on them during a snowstorm.
Falling Tree Branches are More Common Than You Might Think in New York City
The Parks Department reports that between 2011 and 2015, 31 people suffered injuries due to falling trees in New York.
In 2017, a large elm tree branch fell on a 2-year-old boy in Central Park.
The branch fractured the boy’s skull and fractured his mother’s neck.
In 2013, a pregnant woman died from injuries caused by a large oak tree falling over and crushing her.
She was sitting on a bench at Kissena Park when she perished.
A 46-year-old man died in Central Park in February 2010.
A tree branch snapped under the weight of snow and fell on him.
In July 2009, a tree branch that had rotted struck a man in the head in Central Park.
His injuries were severe.
He suffered severe brain damage, paralysis, and spinal cord injuries.
The City of New York settled a civil personal injury lawsuit for $11.5 million in 2012.
In June 2010, a young child died after a branch struck her at the Central Park Zoo.
Her mother suffered critical injuries from the falling tree.
What Does a Plaintiff Need to Prove to Succeed in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The plaintiff needs to show that someone else’s negligence caused his or her injury.
For example, in the cases in which tree branches fell, the plaintiffs needed to show that the City of New York was negligent.
The City of New York owes residents a duty of care, which includes warning them of dangerous conditions.
The plaintiff in the first case mentioned above needs to show that the City knew or should have known that the tree that fell had fungus.
If New York City knew or should have known that this dangerous tree existed and did not remove it, they likely breached a duty.
The plaintiff must also show that the falling tree caused their serious spinal cord injury.
If you have suffered a severe spinal injury as a result of someone’s negligence, we are here to assist you.
New York has a three-year statute of limitations.
This means that you only have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit from the date of the accident.
Please do not hesitate to contact the experienced New York serious personal injury attorneys at Pulvers Thompson to set up your consultation.
