Sacramento man awarded $33 million after tree limb injury at McKinley Park

A Sacramento jury awarded over $33 million to a man who suffered a devastating brain injury when a 30-foot dead tree limb fell on him at McKinley Park in 2020, CBS News reported. The man, Michael Flynn, was 28 and pursuing a PhD in theoretical physics at the time of the accident.

Flynn's attorneys argued that the city was fully responsible because the dead limb had been present for years and the city relied on park users to report hazards instead of conducting routine tree inspections, according to CBS Sacramento. The jury agreed, assigning 100% responsibility to the city and granting $33.3 million in damages on October 9.

Flynn said the injury permanently altered his life and career plans, although he was able to complete his doctorate. He emphasized the importance of safe public spaces and the city's duty to protect residents.

The Sacramento City Manager acknowledged the tragedy and its impact but did not specify any policy changes made since the incident, CBS News noted. Flynn and his legal team hope the case encourages better maintenance and safety measures in city parks.