T
tckane
Guest
Hurricane Isabel and Fallen Trees
I live in Northern VA on two acres most of which is heavily wooeded. During Hurricane Isabel, two trees on my property were uprooted by the wind and a third tree on my neighbor's property was uprooted. It appears that the a tree on my property uprooted and fell into another tree on my property and then one on his, but this can not be proven for sure. The third tree in question appears to be on his property, but is very near the property line so I cannot be certain.
The third tree was held up by some smaller trees and never fell. It was leaning over the neighbors house, so I informed the people who rent the home that they might be in danger. They called the landlord who immediately wanted me to resolve the situation.
I was not sure how to proceed. I did not admit to any liability. He called a tree company to have all three trees cut up and the leaning tree knocked down and cut up. I was out of town so my proxy watched the work being performed and signed that it was complete, however, he made some type of note about not accepting any liability .
I am trying to get an estimate from the tree company as to how much it cost to cut up the two trees on my property and how much it cost to down and cut the tree on his property and have offerred to pay my fair share.
He says that I am responsible for moving all of the brush from his property from any of my trees that fell and wants me to pay either two thirds or all of the cutting bill and all of the removal cost.
I contacted my insurance company and they said it was an act of God. All trees were living and in good conditiion. The insurance company said that I am not responsible for his property and any of my trees on his property or paying for the removal of the debris because it was an act of nature.
The landlord said that he engaged an attorney and the lawyer said that I need to pay to have the debris moved and must do it immediately because one of the children living in the house may become injurered.
I do not believe this is my responsibiltiy or liability. Initially, I tried to resolve the situation in an friendly manner by offering to pay for half of the downing and cutting bill. I said nothing about removing debris. When he did not accept that offer, I called the tree company (who he engaged and they will not call me back) to try and determine how much was due for cutting the two trees on my property.
Help please. I am at risk or is this an act of God and his responsibiltiy. Thanks.
I live in Northern VA on two acres most of which is heavily wooeded. During Hurricane Isabel, two trees on my property were uprooted by the wind and a third tree on my neighbor's property was uprooted. It appears that the a tree on my property uprooted and fell into another tree on my property and then one on his, but this can not be proven for sure. The third tree in question appears to be on his property, but is very near the property line so I cannot be certain.
The third tree was held up by some smaller trees and never fell. It was leaning over the neighbors house, so I informed the people who rent the home that they might be in danger. They called the landlord who immediately wanted me to resolve the situation.
I was not sure how to proceed. I did not admit to any liability. He called a tree company to have all three trees cut up and the leaning tree knocked down and cut up. I was out of town so my proxy watched the work being performed and signed that it was complete, however, he made some type of note about not accepting any liability .
I am trying to get an estimate from the tree company as to how much it cost to cut up the two trees on my property and how much it cost to down and cut the tree on his property and have offerred to pay my fair share.
He says that I am responsible for moving all of the brush from his property from any of my trees that fell and wants me to pay either two thirds or all of the cutting bill and all of the removal cost.
I contacted my insurance company and they said it was an act of God. All trees were living and in good conditiion. The insurance company said that I am not responsible for his property and any of my trees on his property or paying for the removal of the debris because it was an act of nature.
The landlord said that he engaged an attorney and the lawyer said that I need to pay to have the debris moved and must do it immediately because one of the children living in the house may become injurered.
I do not believe this is my responsibiltiy or liability. Initially, I tried to resolve the situation in an friendly manner by offering to pay for half of the downing and cutting bill. I said nothing about removing debris. When he did not accept that offer, I called the tree company (who he engaged and they will not call me back) to try and determine how much was due for cutting the two trees on my property.
Help please. I am at risk or is this an act of God and his responsibiltiy. Thanks.