Couple Sues For $50 MM Over Tree That Killed Daughter

A New Jersey couple whose six-month old daughter was killed by a falling tree limb outside the Central Park Zoo in June already filed papers demanding the city preserve the evidence, and now they have named the city, Central Park Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Society in a $50 million lawsuit. Karla DelGallo was holding her daughter, Gianna Ricciutti, and posing for a picture when a limb from a 50-year-old honey locust tree crashed on top of them, killing Ricciutti and seriously injuring DelGallo. Mayor Bloomberg previously said of the incident, "It’s very tragic, and trying to assign blame isn’t really something that we should be focusing on."

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By Jaya Saxena in News on October 10, 2010 1:00 PM

Comments [rss]

gobama

It's not exactly "communing with nature" in the Central Park Zoo. If they were somewhere in the wilderness, I might agree, but this is one of the most carefully preserved areas in the city, probably the country, and tree maintenance/safety is one of the primary functions of the Central Park Conservancy. Maybe there was nothing that could have been done and it truly was an act of god, but if it were me, I'd want to see if the city was negligent in performing its responsibilities.

Reason

Sorry for the loss, but the parents are idiots. Trees have limbs, limbs fall--there is even a name for it: "widow makers."

If you are unwilling to assume the risks of "communing with nature," stay on the sidewalk.

John L

This was a very tragic accident and I totally sympathize with the parents but I don't know how the money will help them ease their pain. As sad as it is I think this tragedy was I believe falls under an "act of God" and the same way most insurance companies wouldn't pay I don't know why we should pay. Unless the city was aware of the condition of this tree or is proven to have been negligent somehow, I don't see why we should pay but I don't blame them for trying.