Our firm has helped numerous clients who sustained serious injuries caused by falling trees and branches.  There are complexities involved in these types of cases that we have the experience to navigate. Landowners that neglect their trees should be held responsible for injuries that are caused by the unmaintained trees. Our firm can help if you sustained injuries on public or private property.  Take note that if the tree that caused your injury was located on public or government-controlled land, you have only six months from the day you were injured to act to protect your rights. There are unique aspects along with many variables involved in tree injury claims. As such, you need to call a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. 

With alarming regularity, Davis trees and tree branches come crashing down without warning, causing bodily injury, property damage, and even death.  

Our region is particularly at risk for falling trees due to the vast urban forests we enjoy and because the area is prone to drought, which weakens trees, making them more susceptible to breakage.  Additionally, the Davis area regularly sees moderate to severe winds, another risk factor for tree falls.  

Our office has handled numerous catastrophic injury cases related to falling trees and has over 38 years of experience with complex personal injury.  We know exactly what to do if you or someone you love has suffered injuries due to being struck by a fallen tree or tree branch.

Our law firm knows all too well that a falling tree or tree branch has the ability to cause serious, even catastrophic injuries and death.  Some of the injuries that can be caused by a falling tree or tree branch are:

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Neck and Back Injuries
• Fractured Skull
• Broken Collarbone
• Broken Ribs
• Other Fractured Bones
• Paralysis
• Internal Bleeding
• Death

Because of the weight and velocity of a falling tree or heavy tree branch, if such an object strikes a human, the risk of disabling injuries or death is great.  A tree or branch will often strike a victim in the head, resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI regularly results in permanent impairments and a serious decrease in quality of life, not only for the victim but the injured party’s family.

If you have suffered injuries from a falling tree or branch, you may be due significant compensation for the damages you sustained. The damages an injured party may incur include past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, income loss, and future earning capacity. Our attorneys have successfully represented Davis residents who were injured by falling trees.  Our firm takes great pride in every case we handle.

Here are the types of damages that may be available to you if you have sustained injuries caused by a falling tree or tree branch:

• Economic: This category includes medical expenses already incurred and those expected in the future due to your injures.  Economic damages also consist of wage loss, future wage loss, out-of-pocket expenditures, and property damage.
• Noneconomic (or General) Damages: This describes compensation for your pain and suffering as well as the loss or reduction of enjoyment of life as a result of your injuries.
• Loss of Consortium: If you are married, your spouse may be entitled to monetary recovery due to their losing your companionship as a result of your injuries.

Sections 833 and 834 of the California Civil Code establish who owns a tree.  If the trunk of a tree is entirely within the boundaries of a single property, the owner of that property is the sole owner of the tree.  This applies even if the tree branches, leaves, or roots spill onto another property. However, if the trunk of a tree rests partly on the land of adjacent owners, each would be determined to jointly own the tree.

A property owner has a responsibility to safely maintain trees on their property.  If a tree causes property damage or injury to someone, the person or entity responsible for that tree has to pay for damages if they knew of or should have known about the danger.  

A property owner has what is known by the legal term of Actual Knowledge if an obviously dangerous condition is visible in a tree on their property.  This could include a precariously hanging dead branch or a visibly decaying tree.  If the property owner ignored the danger rather than fix it, they would be responsible for any injury or property damage resulting from the dangerous condition.

Another legal concept under which a property owner can be found responsible for injuries caused by a tree on the property is known as Constructive Knowledge.  For there to be constructive knowledge, it would have to be proven that a “reasonably prudent person” would have known about the tree’s dangerous condition.  

Because of the complexities involved in proving that a property owner knew or should have known of the dangerous condition of a tree, it is crucial to seek experienced legal counsel.  

As discussed above, an injured party must prove that there was negligence exhibited by the tree property owner.  To do that, one must show:

• The owner was required to prevent harm.
• That owner failed in their responsibility to prevent harm.
• The failure of the owner to prevent harm was the cause of the injury.

Some questions an experienced attorney will ask in the course of the investigation:

• Did the landowner inspect trees on the property regularly?
• Did the landowner properly maintain the trees on their property?

If the answer to either question is no, that may be evidence of negligence by the property owner.  Because there are tricky exceptions to negligence involving occurrences known as “acts of God” or “forces of nature,” it is important for an injured party to have an expert legal advocate pay their damages.

California has a two-year personal injury statute of limitations.  That means that a claim for injuries must be settled or a lawsuit filed before the second anniversary of the injury.

Government Claims:  If you suffered injuries caused by a falling tree or branch on public property, the period you must act is much less than two years.  That is why it is imperative that an injured party immediately contact an experienced Davis tree injury attorney if the injuries occurred on public or government property.

Injury of a Minor Caused by Falling Tree: If a falling tree or tree branch results in injuries to a minor child, the time in which the claim has to be settled or a lawsuit filed is extended.  For minors in California who have a personal injury claim, the case must be filed before the two (2) year anniversary of the minor’s 18th birthday.

Davis, California, is home to a variety of beautiful trees. This should come as no surprise considering the region’s rich agricultural history.  The City of Davis maintains approximately 13,000 trees located on the streets and more than 5,000 trees within the city’s park system. The City of Davis takes care of the original planting, pruning, replacement, and pest management.  Some trees planted within a ten-foot maintenance easement on residential properties are also considered “City trees.”  

Davis City trees must be one of the varieties found within the Master Street Tree List, which include but are not limited to:

• Many varieties of Ash trees
• Several types of Oak trees
• Assorted Maple varieties
• Southern Magnolias
• Various elms
• Purple Leaf Plum
• Thundercloud Plum

The Master Street Tree list incorporates species appropriate to the Davis climate and has historically performed well in the region as shade trees.  Occasionally, new tree species will be introduced into the area on an experimental basis and small numbers. This is to ensure that the trees are well suited for the Davis climate and that they can successfully grow to their mature sizes.

There are several reasons a tree or branch could fall:

• Failure to Properly Maintain the Tree
• Rotting Trunk or Roots
• High Winds / Heavy Rain / Adverse Weather
• Tree Fungus or Other Disease
• Drought

You may think that paying a certified arborist to properly inspect the trees on your property is an unnecessary expense, but it may protect your monetary assets.  If a tree located on your property injures a person, it can become a huge liability as you could be responsible for that person’s medical bills, wage loss, and pain and suffering.

The news clip below shows the aftermath of a large tree falling onto a vehicle in Davis.

If you or anyone you love sustained serious injuries due to a fallen tree or limb, do not hesitate to call our experienced Davis tree accident lawyers at (503) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. Dealing with argumentative insurance companies since 1982, our firm will vigorously work on your behalf, and if necessary, expertly present your case at trial.

We are a proud member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Please read our client reviews on Google, Yelp, and Avvo.  Our past verdicts and settlements speak for themselves.

Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 7.27.21]

Photo: Simon Rae on Unsplash

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