Case ID: so2d_709/html/0615-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "COBB, Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Marvin VANN and Mary M. Vann, his wife, Appellants, v. Charles W. BAILEY and Peggy J. Bailey, his wife, Appellees.
    No. 97-2564.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
    April 9, 1998.
    Rehearing Denied May 19, 1998.
    Marvin Vann and Mary M. Vann, Orlando, pro se.
    Patrick C. Crowell of Patrick C. Crowell, P.A., Orlando, for Appellants.
    Kenneth M. Beane, Maitland, for Appel-lees.
   COBB, Judge.

This appeal concerns the liability of an urban property owner for damages to the adjacent property caused by the falling of a large oak limb. We believe that the rule of law applicable to this case is that enunciated by the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pasco County:

A landowner in an urban area has a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent unreasonable risk of damage to adjoining property arising from defective or unsound trees on the premises.

Rees v. Cochran, 40 Fla. Supp.2d 185 (Fla. 6th Cir.Ct.1990).

The record in the instant case contains sufficient evidence of actual or constructive knowledge regarding the defective or rotten condition of the laurel oak tree. City of Alachua v. Swilley, 118 So.2d 88 (Fla. 1st DCA 1960); compare Lisk v. City of West Palm Beach, 160 Fla. 632, 36 So.2d 197 (1948).

AFFIRMED.

GOSHORN and PETERSON, JJ., concur.