Chicago Man Paralyzed by Tree Limb Gets $5.7M Award

The city of Chicago has agreed to pay $5.7 million to a man left paralyzed by a falling tree limb.

Thirty-seven-year-old Erick Leon was on a bicycle when he was hit by a 40-foot limb in August 2011.

According to his attorney, a resident of the neighborhood had complained to the city numerous times prior to the accident that the tree needed to be trimmed or removed. But, Micheal Goode tells the Chicago Sun-Times, a city inspection determined nothing needed to be done.

Goode says his client has to use a wheelchair because of injuries to his spine.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Streets and Sanitation refused to comment on the settlement, which is expected to be approved Monday by the City Council’s Finance Committee.