Man Killed in Rockland Tree Trimming Accident at Brentwood Arms Condominium Complex

ROCKLAND, MASSACHUSETTS (January 1, 2026) – One man was killed and another was seriously injured in a Rockland tree trimming accident at the Brentwood Arms Condominium Complex. 

Rockland officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:00 a.m. on Monday. Two maintenance workers at the apartment complex were in a fully extended boom lift. 

For undetermined reasons, the two individuals fell from the boom lift as they were cutting trees. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victims. 

Sadly, a 72-year-old man was pronounced dead after being rushed to South Shore Hospital. The other victim remains in critical condition. 

Initial reports suggest that the workers did not have safety harnesses at the time of the accident. A full investigation by OSHA remains ongoing at this time. 

Liability for Rockland Tree Trimming Accidents 

When a worker is injured or killed in Massachusetts, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse to the workers’ compensation system. The workers’ compensation system operates through a no-fault insurance scheme. There is no need for an injured worker or surviving family member to demonstrate that one party was responsible. Despite this, employers must take several actions to prevent workers from being injured while they are trimming trees. 

• Operator Certification: Boom lifts should only be operated by workers that have all of the proper certifications. This should include hands-on proficiency. 

• Pre-Job Planning: Employers should conduct a thorough hazard assessment of the job site before starting. 

• Safety Equipment: Workers should be provided with personal fall arrest systems if they are going to be operating at a height of 6 feet or more above the ground. 

• Electrical Safety: Employers should ensure that workers maintain a minimum distance from all power lines. 

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any accident where a worker is injured in a tree trimming accident. In particular, an injured worker or their family may be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident. For example, a general contractor could be liable if they failed to enforce safety procedures that would’ve prevented the accident. 

Steps to Take After Tree Trimming Accidents 

The tree trimming industry remains very dangerous. Many workers are seriously injured or killed every year. According to Tree Care Industry Magazine, “The BLS estimated the non-fatal rate for tree workers is 239 injuries per 10,000 workers (10,000 rather than 100,000 is used for non-fatal injuries). The all-industry non-fatal rate is 89 per 10,000 workers, about one-third the rate for tree workers.” It is important that certain measures are taken after any tree-trimming accident. 

• Medical Records: All medical records related to the accident should be collected. 

• Work Records: Safety records from the work site should be collected and reviewed for potential violations. 

• Eyewitnesses: Any person who may have witnessed the accident should be interviewed as soon as possible. 

• Legal Review: Victims should carefully consider their legal options with experienced legal counsel. An attorney can help identify all potentially liable parties. 

Tree trimming accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where tree trimmers are asked to work dangerously close to electrical lines. In many situations, workers are asked to perform their duties without fall protection. Injured workers and surviving family members are protected by a number of laws. In particular, the family of any worker who died in an accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim. 

Investigating Massachusetts Tree Trimming Accidents 

We at DiBellaLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the worker who died in this accident. It is our sincere hope that the other victim will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is deeply concerning that these workers were apparently not provided with fall protection. If they had access to these critical pieces of safety equipment, this incident may have been avoided. 

Do you need more information about a Rockland tree trimming accident? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and holding employers accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.