Just last month a senior citizen was enjoying a stroll through the park when a tree branch fell on top of him, crushing him to the ground. Thankfully, he only suffered a broken leg but it could have been much worse. While tree branch accidents in New York are rare, they can cause significant injuries and even death. In 2013 Yingyi Li-Dikov, a thirty-year-old expectant mother, was killed by a falling tree branch in Flushing while sitting on a park bench.
This latest fallen tree branch accident in New York happened in Van Cortland Park in the Bronx. The 64-year-old victim was walking near East Gun Hill Road and Jerome Avenue around 5 PM when a branch broke off and tumbled down at least 50 feet. The victim was rushed to Jacobi Hospital where he was listed in stable condition. Ironically, Van Cortland Park was recently voted one of “The Best Places to Be Outdoors in NYC.”
Victims injured by falling tree branches can seek financial compensation from the owners of the property on which the tree stood. Property owners have a responsibility to the public to inspect trees on their property for rot, infestation, and storm damage and either remove potential hazards (dead limbs and damaged trees) or place barriers around the trees so that pedestrians aren’t in the path of falling branches.
This tree branch accident in The Bronx happened at a public park. Therefore, the City could very well be found liable for the man’s injuries. A thorough investigation of the accident should include retaining an expert arborist for a professional opinion and examination of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s documentation with regard to the trees in Van Cortland Park (such as complaints, inspections, maintenance and work orders).
If you’ve been injured in a similar accident, contact a New York City falling tree branch attorney to obtain the compensation you deserve. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at or 212-385-1122 for a free consultation.