Four people, senior citizens, were injured while playing croquet underneath a ficus tree in a Costa Mesa park. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred the morning of September 25, 2017 when the group that was playing croquet in Shiffer Park on Bear Street heard a 50-foot-long section of the trunk begin to fall. They scattered, but ended up being struck by the branches.
All four were injured, but the injuries aren’t believed to be life threatening. They were transported by ambulance to an area hospital. A 27-year-old man who was in his car at the park said he ran to help the victims when he saw the branch fall. He said the big branches fell on one woman and the smaller branches fell on the others. He said he got down on his knees and supported the woman’s neck from the pressure of the branch.
We are relieved to hear that no one suffered severe injuries in this frightening incident. We wish all those who were injured the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
The Danger of Falling Trees
When trees and branches fall, the force of such a fall can create more impact can wreak havoc on the human body. The bigger the tree, the greater the mass and the greater the force with which it falls. Tree-related incidents can cause significant injuries including head injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries and broken bones. A number of these incidents often result in fatalities. In February, a tree collapsed at a Whittier park killing a 61-year-old woman and injuring five others. Several of those victims, who were all part of a bridal party, were trapped under the branches and limbs of the eucalyptus tree that fell.
Who is Liable?
In this case, we hope the city is looking into how or why the tree branches of this ficus tree fell since it did occur at a Costa Mesa city park. If it is determined that the city failed to properly prune the tree or care for it, then, the city could be held financially responsible for the injuries damages and losses caused.
Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitative treatment, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Our Orange County personal injury law firm helped secure $2.5 million for a client who became paralyzed after a eucalyptus tree fell on her in the city of Perris. An experienced injury lawyer who has handled similar cases can help injured victims and their families secure fair compensation for their losses.