Attorneys Adam Carlson and Megan Burns Secure $8.16 Million Verdict in Contra Costa County Superior Court Tree Collapse Case

Attorneys Adam Carlson and Megan Burns Secure $8.16 Million Verdict in Contra Costa County Superior Court Tree Collapse Case

Feb 27, 2025

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Walnut Creek, CaliforniaCasper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook is proud to announce that managing partner Adam Carlson, along with Megan Burns, partner at Mirador Law, successfully obtained an $8,165,042 verdict in Contra Costa County Superior Court on behalf of their clients, victims of a tree collapse incident in downtown Martinez, California. The City of Martinez was held liable under the California Government Code for maintaining a dangerous condition of public property that led to the catastrophic event.

On October 27, 2019, a large tree fell in downtown Martinez during a farmer’s market, injuring several attendees. The tree, improperly planted and maintained by the City of Martinez, had been a hazard for years. The City’s failure to address the dangerous condition resulted in devastating injuries to multiple individuals, including two plaintiffs represented by Carlson and Burns.

One of the plaintiffs witnessed her infant son’s stroller being crushed by the tree. While her son only suffered minor injuries, she was diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sustained a significant ankle fracture requiring surgery. Her injuries led to a loss of income as a pediatric occupational therapist in private practice, where she helps children with autism and their families in sensory gyms. The jury awarded her $4,147,521 in damages.

The second plaintiff was struck in the back by the tree while holding her two-year-old child, suffering multiple spinal fractures. She was a stay-at-home mother at the time of the incident but had planned to return to work as a preschool teacher. She was awarded $4,017,521.

This significant victory highlights the importance of municipal accountability and the role our attorneys play in ensuring that those injured by the City’s negligence are compensated fairly. Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook remains dedicated to advocating for the rights of injury victims across the Bay Area.

To learn more about Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, please visit our website: https://www.cmslaw.com.

At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, clients always meet directly with the attorney who handles their case, getting one-on-one attention from a dedicated advocate. They work with investigators, medical specialists, and experts to help develop the strongest cases possible for their clients.

Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook
2121 N California Blvd #1020
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: 925-947-1147
877.269.0076 x848
https://www.cmslaw.com/
Press Contact : Tiana Guzman

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