An Oregon man who suffered an eye injury clearing trails as part of court-ordered community service has sued Polk County, saying it failed to provide proper tools and safety equipment.
The Salem Statesman Journal reports the suit filed in federal court in Portland by Theadore T. Sussan of Dallas seeks an unspecified amount of damages.
The suit says Sussan was clearing trails at a park in Rickreall in August 2012 when a supervisor told him to break a tree with his bare hands. The suit says the tree swung back and hit Sussan in the right eye, requiring “numerous surgeries” and causing a loss of vision.
The suit said Sussan had been convicted of delivery of methadone and sentenced to probation and 120 hours of community service.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
AI Claim Assistant Now Taking Auto Damage Claims Calls at Travelers 
Red Flags Adjusters Should Look for in Truck Accident Claims Investigations 
Moody’s: LA Wildfires, US Catastrophes Drove Bulk of Global Insured Losses in 2025 
NYC Travel Snarled by Snow as Central Park Gets 15 Inches 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.