West Vancouver sued after tree falls on woman in Lighthouse Park
Woman hospitalized with broken bones, mental trauma after April incident; claims inadequate park maintenance.
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The District of West Vancouver is facing a lawsuit from a woman injured when a rotten tree fell on her in Lighthouse Park.
Hayoung Lee was walking in the park with friends on the evening of April 8 when a tree fell and struck her directly on her back, temporarily trapping her under its weight. She was taken to Lions Gate Hospital where she was admitted with traumatic injuries: broken bones, bruises, injuries to her lower back, hips, ankle, and foot.
Since the incident, Lee has experienced mental trauma, insomnia, and difficulty walking and concentrating. Prior to the fall, she was completing her studies and planning to learn English and start a career. But persistent pain and blood circulation issues from her injuries prevented her from concentrating on her coursework. On her physician's advice, she returned to Korea for medical treatment and recovery.
Lee is suing the district and an unnamed contractor, alleging they were negligent by failing to properly maintain the park to keep it safe for visitors. She's asking the courts to award damages including medical and rehabilitation expenses (including future care costs), loss of income and future earning capacity, and general damages for pain and suffering.
None of Lee's claims have been tested in court. The District of West Vancouver has not yet filed a response but issued a statement: "We were very sorry to hear of this incident and the injuries sustained by the individual involved. Our thoughts are with the individual and we wish her a full recovery. The district takes public safety seriously. As this matter involves legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
The lawsuit underscores the liability risks municipalities face when aging infrastructure fails.