Selvin Sandoval, Off-Duty Firefighter, Helped Save Others Before Being Hit by Falling Tree on Eaton Road in Framingham
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS (May 25, 2026) – An off-duty Waltham firefighter identified as Selvin Sandoval was injured in a Framingham, Massachusetts accident with a falling tree.
Middlesex County officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Selvin Sandoval was hit in the head by a falling oak tree that also trapped him.
The victim was able to extricate himself from underneath the tree. Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help him.
He was taken to Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Authorities are saying that Selvin Sandoval helped prevent a Framingham Department of Public Works employee and an Amazon delivery driver escape injury through his warnings prior to being hit.
Photos of the accident site show two large tree limbs in the roadway. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers remains committed to improving public safety and increasing transparency through our Free Police Report program. If you’ve been involved in any type of accident that required a police response, we can help you get a copy of the police report created at no cost or obligation to you.
Liability for Massachusetts Tree Fall Accidents
Municipal entities in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to maintain public areas in a reasonably safe condition. This obligation includes protecting people from falling trees and other foreseeable sources of harm. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice that a tree on their premises is in an unsafe condition, they must take action. Failing to take action can be construed as negligence. Property owners should take several measures to prevent accidents with trees.
- Inspections: Property owners should conduct regular inspections on all of the trees on their property. This is particularly important for trees near sidewalks, playgrounds, or roads.
- Arborist: Property owners should hire a qualified arborist to evaluate the trees on the property to ensure they are free of disease or damage that could potentially cause them to fall over.
- Removal: Property owners should have trees that are diseased or prone to falling over removed.
- Access: Property owners should block off access to dangerous areas where a tree or limb could potentially be unstable and fall over.
When determining liability for any accident involving a falling tree, it matters whether or not the accident was foreseeable in some way. Generally speaking, if trees have certain diseases or are leaning precariously, this makes accidents where they fall more foreseeable. Consider, for example, Kurtigian v. Worcester. In that case, a man was seriously injured after being hit by a large branch that had fallen from a visibly decaying tree. The Court found that the city of Worcester could be liable for the accident because it was an open hazard for many years and the city already had notice of the dangerous condition.
Severe Injuries Caused by Falling Trees in Massachusetts
Many people are seriously injured or killed every year in accidents involving trees. A large portion of the victims are workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In the U.S., an average of 140 workers were killed annually by trees, logs, or limbs over the last five years. In Massachusetts alone, there are an estimated 100 injuries per year from being struck by trees, logs, or limbs that result in missed work.” Victims of accidents involving falling trees tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Broken Bones: The victims often report sustaining broken bones. These are particularly common in the person’s arms and legs.
- Head Injuries: Some of the most dangerous injuries that people have sustained are head injuries. Even a mild traumatic brain injury can result in lasting physical and neurological impairment.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Trees can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. The force from being hit by a fallen tree can cause victims to sustain catastrophic damage to their spinal cord.
- Organ Damage: Not all of the injuries associated with a tree fall will be outwardly obvious. Many victims sustain damage to their liver and other internal organs.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any accident involving a falling tree. The authorities will typically classify these accidents as acts of God or otherwise freak incidents that could not have been foreseen. But the fact of the matter is that many accidents involving fallen trees are highly preventable. This is why it is so important that victims consider their legal options with an experienced attorney.
DiBella Law Investigates Massachusetts Falling Tree Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to Selvin Sandoval and his family as he continues to recover. His quick thinking in this incident definitely saved other people from being seriously injured or killed. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Several questions remain unanswered at this time. When was the last time this oak tree was inspected? Have other trees fallen in this area?
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident involving a falling tree? Our team of Boston personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that victims get the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney may be able to help with your particular situation, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at 855-342-3552.
