Family sues Lake Compounce over 2004 accidental death by tree

Well I have to admit that I must have missed the news (or forgot) that the tree was very obviously dead and a danger. I think the family has a real case there, and I'm surprised the park didn't settle.

I agree with you Jeff. If the tree was obviously dead and dangerous and the family can present evidence to prove it, they have a strong case.

A similar, but much less tragic accident happened to my mom two years ago when a dead tree at her employer's that was supposed to be removed months before fell on our car. The real trick is proving the tree was dead and should have been removed before an accident.

Strong case indeed. Especially, considering the past incidents at this particuar park.

(snip)..."Total Landscaping & Tree Service of Newtown, which the park hired to monitor and take care of its trees". THEY are the tree professionals, NOT anyone who works for Lake Compounce. To me, TL&TS should be held responsible...

...and due to the nature of having co-defendants in this civil case, I can kinda see why it wasn't resolved already...

The fact that the state DEP says the tree was "visibly dead" for at least a year makes this, IMO, a fairly open-and-shut case...

This is such a sad case and tragic accident. I feel for the family involved.

That said, I'm still irked by the last paragraph which mentions other accidental deaths in the park going back to 1999. Other than the location, there doesn't seem to be a thread connecting the events (same ride, same situation, etc). But they have to get in the old "parks are just death traps waiting to spring out at you" shtick.

^ eh... I would not quite say that. I think they would at least touch on other deaths and injuries in other parks. The final paragraph seems more or less to warn you this particular park is not keeping up on what they should be or rather, letting an outside landscaping service take on those responsibilities and away from the eye of insurance company lawyers.
*** This post was edited by coastern3rd 12/12/2005 7:23:33 PM ***

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coastern3rd said:

"Strong case indeed. Especially, considering the past incidents at this particuar park."

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I've heard these "past incidents" mentioned, but never any details. To hear people talk, Lake Compounce, based on its "past incidents" sounds like a death trap.

Any one care to give a brief rundown of those "past incidents"?

LC is definately not a "death trap". They also are not completely blameless in any of the deaths there.

A brief rundown for SLFake. Exact dates left out due to a bad memory, but the y all occured within a 5-6 year span.

A ride operator was killed while running a scrambler ride. The operator was not obeying safetey rules and was pinned beneath the ride.

A young boy (5 years old, I think) was drowned on the Lake plunge ride after falling off the tube. The father had assured the ride operator that his sone was a strong swimmer. Since this accident, life jackets have been a requirement for small riders.

A groundskeeper was killed when Boulder Dash hit him in the head during a test run. Proper lockout procedures would have prevented this.

Finally the tree limb, which was also avoidable. All trees in the area have since been removed for the lazy river attraction.

Alright... I do remember all of those. Just with the "Track Record" comment, it made it sound like there were a lot more.