Who’s Liable in the Malibu Tree-Trimming Accident?

By Yosi Yahoudai Founder and Managing Partner

May 20, 2025

Construction AccidentsNews & UpdatesPersonal Injury

On May 17, 2025, near Malibu’s Point Dume, a tree-trimming job turned fatal when a power line was accidentally dislodged and fell onto a person below. The victim died instantly. The tree trimmer was unharmed, and officials called it an accident. But here’s the truth: even “accidents” have accountability. 

At J&Y, we know better than to take an official statement at face value when someone has lost their life. 

“Calling something an accident doesn’t erase responsibility,” says J&Y attorney Parham Nikfarjam. “If someone hires a contractor and that job leads to a death, we need to ask: What corners got cut? What protocols got skipped? Because negligence hides in the details.” 

Is the contractor responsible?

Yes – and maybe not just them. If the tree-trimming company failed to follow state-mandated safety standards, failed to coordinate with the utility company, or sent a worker without proper training into a high-risk zone, they could be directly liable for wrongful death. 

In California, companies must comply with OSHA and CAL-OSHA regulations when working around energized power lines. That means strict safety briefings, safe work distances, and the use of protective gear. If that didn’t happen, the company has serious questions to answer. 

Does the property owner share any liability?

Potentially. Under California’s premises liability laws, a homeowner or property manager who hires a contractor has a duty to ensure: 

• The work is done by licensed professionals 

• The contractors are briefed about any dangerous conditions on the property 

• Reasonable steps are taken to prevent harm to anyone nearby 

If the owner didn’t ask about the power lines, didn’t ensure a safety plan was in place, or hired an unqualified team, they could face civil liability for this death. 

Can the victim’s family sue?

Yes. The victim’s next of kin may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek: 

• Funeral and burial expenses 

• Loss of financial support 

• Pain and suffering 

• Loss of companionship 

• Punitive damages (if gross negligence is found) 

These lawsuits aren’t just about compensation. They’re about visibility. About saying, “This person mattered. Their life was worth protecting.” 

“We’ve seen these cases before,” Parham adds. “A grieving family, a silent company, and a city pretending it’s just one of those things. But it’s not. Someone let safety slip – and when that happens, we hold them accountable.” 

Why does this case matter beyond Malibu?

Because this wasn’t a freak accident. This was a jobsite with foreseeable risks. If we ignore that, we open the door for the same thing to happen again – next time to a child, a neighbor, a worker who didn’t know the danger was overhead. 

This story reminds us why we do what we do at J&Y. We don’t just represent victims – we represent their stories. And we make sure those stories end in justice. 

What should you do if you or someone you know was impacted?

Call us. Now. Time is everything in cases like this. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And silence becomes the default unless someone steps in and demands answers. 

Someone died because the system didn’t protect them. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t get buried under the label of ‘accident.’ 

Call J&Y to talk to a team that treats your case like it’s personal. Because to us, it is. 

Attorney Advertisement. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts.