The family of a Texas teenager recovering from a severe brain injury after being hit by a tree limb in New Orleans’ French Quarter is suing the city.
Gavin Cristia, of San Antonio, Texas, was visiting New Orleans with his family when an 85-year-old tree limb fell in Jackson Square on July 7 and hit him in the head while he was sitting on a bench with his mother and siblings, the lawsuit said.
“There are so many unknowns right now,” Chrystia’s family said in a statement. It’s been a rollercoaster and every time it looks like things are starting to settle down, there’s some kind of setback and they’re back to square one.”
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday and also names ArborPro Inc., Bayou Tree Service, Inc., Smith Construction Company, and Hudson Insurance Company as defendants. Fox News Digital has reached out to the city and these companies.
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This collection of photos from Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, left, and Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, shows Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter on Mardi Gras Day. (AP)
“Unbeknownst to him or his family, however, the large tree next to the bench had been in very poor condition for some time and was now on the verge of total failure,” the filing states.
Construction around Jackson Square likely damaged the tree’s root system, resulting in a loss of “crown volume” and greenery, the lawsuit said. Fox 8 reported.. The arborists were responsible for identifying defects and recommending plans to prevent tree felling and catastrophic limb failure.
“This cycle of decline continues without improvement until the tree eventually fails, leaving multiple large limbs,” the document states. “Upon information and belief, the Jackson Square Renovation Phase II project caused or contributed to the downfall of the subject tree.”
Pedestrians walk along Jackson Square in New Orleans. Earlier this month, a Texas teenager was injured when a tree limb fell on a bench in the area. (Google Maps)
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The lawsuit claims the tree limb failure began years ago with a negligent inspection, the failure of a city contractor and the city’s failure to maintain the tree and “take reasonable steps to protect the public from a decaying tree that had already shed a large limb the day before.”
As a result of the fallen limb, Chrystia suffered a brain injury and suffered injuries to her skull, face and spine. The family is seeking unspecified damages.
Source by [Fox News]
