Tree Safety and Catastrophic Injury and Death

Someone left their home last weekend to enjoy a Saturday on the golf course and instead of a relaxing 18 holes, he tragically – shockingly – lost his life.

On April 13, 2024, two people were crushed by a tree while driving a golf cart at J.C. Melrose Country Club in Cheltenham Township. The tree killed a cart passenger and seriously injured the cart driver.

David Langsam, ILP Cofounding Partner, has extensive experience with tree-related incidents that cause catastrophic injuries and wrongful death and he has investigated and pursued these claims when they happen at golf clubs and on golf courses. Trees are beautiful and important components of any urban and suburban landscape, but they also need to be meticulously inspected and maintained by qualified professionals – this obligation is enhanced at golf clubs which are responsible for thousands of trees. For this reason, clubs and the companies that own and operate golf clubs should develop thorough inspection policies and procedures and hire or employ an adequate staff capable of ensuring that trees stay beautiful and don’t become dangerous.

The Melrose Country Club incident raises several questions:

• Did Club management adhere to industry standards and requirements regarding tree inspections and tree maintenance?
• When had the Club last conducted a tree inspection or tree inventory?
• What was the visible condition/health of the tree that fell upon the victims?

We extend condolences to the victim’s family and are here for support or counsel for them – or any victim of tragic circumstances like these.