Large trees and limbs regularly fall throughout Novato and Northern California. When that happens, the consequences can be devastating. Our law firm has helped many people who have suffered severe injuries from being hit by falling trees and branches. We believe that if a dangerous tree injures a person, the tree owner should be held liable for any damages the injured party suffers. There are many challenges involved in proving homeowner and government entity tree negligence. Let our skilled Novato tree accident lawyers help with that process.

If you have been hurt or someone you love has passed away due to an improperly maintained tree in Novato or anywhere in Marin County, you need an injury lawyer who regularly handles these complex and unusual cases. Call us today for free, friendly advice at (415) 521-2515 or (800) 404-5400.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining the trees in their yards to avoid dangerous conditions. We recommend that homeowners have their trees inspected by an experienced tree professional or a certified arborist. The tree expert can check for any damage or diseases that can cause the tree to fall. The arborist will recommend pruning or removing the trees if the damages are severe. Inspection and maintenance costs are much lower than if a tree in your yard causes someone serious injuries.

We have seen many injuries while advocating for those harmed by a falling tree or limb. Some of these include:

• Amputations
• Brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Back injuries
• Concussion
• Fractured vertebrae
• Internal injuries
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death

In many cases, falling branches and tree fall accidents can cause fatal injuries. The person is often hit in the head or upper body with a heavy limb traveling at high speeds. Even if the person survives, traumatic brain injuries can leave devastating permanent damage and impairment. Time off from work starts to rack up. Enjoyment of life begins to suffer drastically as one pays a personal price to perform day-to-day activities such as driving that others seem to take for granted.

Some potential damages that may be recoverable in a falling tree or limb claim include:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income and
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering

When the tree-falling accident results in fatal injuries, certain family members of the deceased may have a lawyer file a claim for wrongful death.

There are many trees located on public land in Novato. Determining who owns a tree that is not on public property will follow the California Civil Code Section 833 guidelines. Tree ownership depends on where the tree trunk is located. If it is entirely in one plot of land, that landowner is responsible for the tree. If the trunk spans more than one property, the owners of the adjacent properties are joint owners.

You must prove negligence to recover damages from a private property owner after suffering injuries caused by a fallen tree. The homeowner must have known of the dangerous condition and did nothing to address it.

The homeowner’s insurance company often tries to say that a fallen tree was caused by a “force of nature” or “act of God” to get out of liability. Only a skilled Novato tree accident attorney understands what it takes to establish negligence so that a claim can move forward.

In California, a lawsuit for personal injuries must be filed in court before the second anniversary of the incident. However, when a claim is against a governmental entity, the time limit is much shorter, only six months. When the injured person is a minor, the time frame is longer – the two-year statute will begin when the injured person turns 18. It is essential to discuss your injury case early on with a lawyer to protect your right to file and to avoid missing any statutes or other deadlines.

Novato trees are majestic but also prone to illness and damage. Falling trees happen regularly throughout the region, which sometimes causes direct personal injuries. Falling trees have caused property damage, injuries, and deaths yearly in California. If you have experienced such an occurrence, an experienced tree accident attorney in Novato can help. Our legal team has advocated for injured Northern Californians for nearly four decades.

In the following YouTube video, a Bay Area family is shaken after a large oak tree fell onto their cars and home, almost killing their infant daughter.

Falling trees and falling tree limbs can cause devastating injuries. Claims related to falling trees are wrongful death matters most of the time. If you or a loved one needs legal assistance after a falling tree incident, call our experienced Novato tree accident lawyers today for free, friendly advice at (415) 521-2515 or (800) 404-5400.

Our injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com have handled many cases involving falling trees and tree limbs since 1982. Our legal team has the experience to navigate the challenges and complexities of Novato tree accident cases.

See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

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