Eric Freeman Seriously Injured in Framingham After Large Pine Tree Fell on His Vehicle
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS (December 14, 2025) – A 67-year-old man identified as Eric Freeman was seriously injured in a Framingham car accident while driving down Elm Street.
Middlesex County officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:00 PM on Thursday. Eric Freeman was driving down the road in his Audi when a large pine tree fell directly on top of his vehicle.
The force of the impact caused the roof of his vehicle to be crushed, thereby pinning him inside. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim.
They were able to extricate him and transport him to the hospital so that he could receive treatment. Eric Freeman underwent several surgeries to fix fractured bones.
His wife of 30 years said that she never imagined anything like this could happen to someone. She described her husband as a great father, smart engineer, and someone who loved to ski.
A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing.
Determining Liability for Accidents Involving Falling Trees in Massachusetts
Cities and other government agencies in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to maintain public areas in a reasonably safe condition. They must protect residents from foreseeable sources of harm, including instances where people are at risk of being hit by a falling tree. If a municipal entity in Massachusetts has constructive notice of a dangerous tree at risk of falling over, it must take action. Failing to take action could form the basis of a negligence claim.
There are many ways that a municipal entity may have acted negligently and failed to protect the public from falling trees.
- Ignored Complaints: A city may have ignored prior complaints about a tree that was leaning or decaying along the roadway.
- Inspections: A city may have failed to conduct routine inspections of trees on their property so that they can identify any trees in a dangerous condition.
- Care Standards: A city may have failed to follow accepted arborist standards for maintaining trees on public grounds.
- Delayed Action: A city may have delayed taking action after they became aware that a tree was at risk of falling over.
Many people have filed lawsuits after being injured by falling trees in the state of Massachusetts. Consider, for example, Edward Marcus v. City of Newton. In that case, a softball player was injured in Newton, Massachusetts, after a large tree branch fell on him at a public athletic field.
Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the city had a duty to maintain trees in the park, and they allowed a hazardous, allegedly rotten tree to remain in place. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rejected attempts to dismiss the case. They held that the lawsuit could proceed and noted that the city’s conduct could be construed as negligent.
Steps to Take After Being Injured by Falling Trees in Massachusetts
- Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation and complete all follow-up care recommended by their doctor.
- City Records: All of the city records related to the maintenance and care of the tree should be carefully reviewed.
- Evidence Preservation: Any evidence related to the accident should be collected and preserved. This should include samples of the tree that fell over.
- Legal Review: An experienced Boston personal injury attorney should be contacted. They can evaluate all of the evidence related to your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Accidents where people are hit by falling trees or tree branches may seem random. But they are often highly preventable. They tend to be the results of property owners failing to take reasonable actions to care for the trees on their property. The victims of these accidents do have legal rights. They are able to pursue damages through a personal injury claim. Damages can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Accidents involving falling trees may seem like freak occurrences, but these instances are unfortunately quite common. Many of the victims work in the tree care industry. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, “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.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any accident involving a fallen tree.
Getting Legal Help After Being Injured by a Falling Tree
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to Eric Freeman and his family as he continues to recover. It is our hope that city officials will inspect all of the trees on the stretch of road and take additional measures to protect the public.
Many questions related to this accident remain unanswered. Did this tree have any disease or structural damage that made it unstable? Have there been similar accidents along the stretch of road in the past?
Have you or someone that you care about been injured by a falling tree in Massachusetts? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of Boston premises liability attorneys is here to help you. We are committed to providing victims with the medical and financial assistance they need to move forward with their lives. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, contact us for a free case evaluation.