Tree Caused Death or Injury Lawsuits
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http://www.lawfirms.com/resources/auto-accident/car-accident-liability-fallen-trees-cause.htm
https://www.silive.com/news/2018/06/driver_hurt_when_rotted_tree_f.html
This story tells of how a man won his $250,000 suit for a tree falling on his SUV and seriously injuring him. I've seen cases that run into the millions when the tree kills someone. If all the families affected by the deaths on the home page find this website and file suit, it may just get the attention of the lawmakers and politicians to do something about the ash trees.
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/12/mom_who_watched_11-year-old_so.html
$5 Million lawsuit for tree death.
$6.5 Million settlement for tree on car death.
$1.25 Million settlement for tree on car injury.
$6 Million settlement for tree injury.
https://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/news/falling-tree-hazard-liability-chicago/
$5.75 Million settlement for tree injury.
And they just go on and on. You would think park departments, city officials and road crews would learn to remove the dangerous trees. To win one of these cases, you have to prove that the person(s) who owned or were responsible for the tree knew (or should have known) it was dangerous and did nothing to remove it. Dead ash trees (or ANY species of DEAD tree) are an OBVIOUS danger if they are near roads or sidewalks.
Courts in Michigan have ruled that the road commissions are responsible only for road related conditions (roadbed, pavement and signs) and not the trees in the right of way. The property owner owns the trees and is responsible and liable to keep the roads across their property free of danger from dead trees. Although the road commission is not responsible for the dead trees, they can remove them if they are a safety hazard, but they don't have to. By all means report any dangerous tree you see to the road commission, but don't count on them removing it. Contact the landowner and tell them they can be sued if it falls on someone.