At least three children were injured, one critically, after a large eucalyptus tree limb crashed onto a daycare facility’s playground in Pasadena. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the incident occurred the afternoon of August 29, 2017. Pasadena fire officials said more than a dozen children were playing outside at Linda Vista Children’s Center when the tree limb fell. A 2-year-old girl suffered critical injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Two other children, 3 and 4, were also treated for non-life-threatening injuries caused by the 20-foot fallen tree limb.
Parents were notified of the incident. Social workers were also present in case any children showed signs of emotional distress. The playground and an adjacent city park were closed so public works crews could evaluate the area to make sure no other dangers existed. Officials are looking into what caused the tree limb to fall. Earlier this month, a group of soccer players narrowly escaped injury at Villa Parke in Pasadena when a very large tree limb crashed to the ground crushing a bench where the players were sitting.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the child who has apparently been critically injured in this incident. We wish all of the injured children the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
The Danger of Eucalyptus Trees
Eucalyptus trees can be found all over Southern California. However, their shallow roots make them unsuitable for any type of landscaping especially in public roadways and parks where people and vehicle pass by everyday. Arborists say cities that choose to keep eucalyptus trees or plant them must have an aggressive maintenance program. Because, without that, these trees could become ticking time bombs, as they did in this particular case.
John Sevier, a tree expert who testified in a case involving the death of a 4-year-old girl crushed to death by a eucalyptus tree in San Diego, told the Orange County Register recently that cities would be well advised to replace eucalyptus trees with more stable varieties such as oak and elm. He said eucalyptus trees that are in areas irrigated by sprinklers are even more dangerous because their roots don’t have to go deep looking for branches and their foliage and branches get large and heavy. Eucalyptus trees also drop their heavy branches in the summer, especially on really hot days.
Liability Issues
Depending on who was responsible for maintaining the tree that fell or dropped heavy branches, at-fault parties can be held financially responsible for the injuries and losses caused by these tree accidents. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries and pain and suffering. Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled tree accident cases.