DAVIS, Calif. — A tragic incident in a local park led to a substantial jury verdict, as a Yolo County jury awarded $24 million to the family of a Davis woman who was fatally injured by a falling tree limb. The incident occurred in February 2021 when Jennifer Comey was playing with her young daughter in Slide Hill Park.
According to reports, Comey was in the sandbox with her three-year-old daughter when a limb from an overhead tree suddenly fell, striking her. She was critically injured in the incident and later succumbed to her injuries at a nearby hospital. Fortunately, her daughter was not harmed.
In response to the lawsuit filed against them, the city of Davis acknowledged their responsibility in the matter. The city has since undertaken several measures to prevent such incidents in the future, demonstrating a commitment to public safety and urban tree management.
The awarded sum of $24 million will be covered by the city’s municipal risk pool, a system utilized by several government entities to manage the financial risk associated with legal claims and lawsuits.
Post-incident, the city has initiated various improvements to its urban forestry practices. Notable changes include the relocation of the Urban Forestry Division to the Public Works, Utilities, and Operations Department, which provides more resources for better asset management. Additional steps taken include the inclusion of trees in parks and greenbelts in the city’s seven-year tree-pruning cycle and expanding the Urban Forestry Division staff.
Moreover, the city approved extra funding to hire another contract tree crew and adopted the Urban Forest Management Plan in 2023. This plan is set to guide the care and planting of trees in Davis for the next 40 years, ensuring the city is better equipped to manage its urban forest sustainably.
Furthermore, the city has revised its tree ordinance to streamline the process for tree removal permits and included updating programs within the Urban Forestry Division. A proactive approach has also been implemented, with a pilot program designed to assess and prune trees in recreational areas or near summer camps actively.
City officials have expressed their ongoing commitment to enhancing the Urban Forestry Division. They are collaborating with nonprofit organizations and community members to institute positive changes and ensure the safety and beauty of the city’s green spaces.
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of urban tree maintenance and has spurred the city of Davis to reassess and improve its practices significantly.
This article was automatically generated by OpenAI. The details, including people, facts, and circumstances, described herein may be inaccurate. Please direct any requests for removals, retractions, or corrections to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.