Mom hit by park tree to sue city
A MOTHER who was badly hurt trying to protect her kids from a falling tree in Central Park plans to file notice Wednesday of a $200 million lawsuit against the city, her lawyer said.
Anne Goldman fractured her C-1 vertebra on Aug. 15 while protecting her three children from the toppling tree on West Drive near W. 62nd St., attorney Jordan Merson said.
Her 3-year-old son, Grant, suffered a concussion and bleeding around his brain.
“A whole family’s lives have been turned upside down,” Merson said.
The 39-year-old mother, who works in social media for the fashion company Tory Burch, faces a grueling recovery.
“She’s not allowed to move her neck for at least two to three months — that is a form of torture,” Merson said. “She can’t pick up her baby, she can’t breastfeed, she can’t do her job.
“She’s in an incredible amount of pain, and we’re unsure if she’s going to be able to walk the same again.”
The impact of little Grant’s injuries are also uncertain. Merson said the blow to his skull could affect his development.
Goldman’s other two children, a 6-week old son and 4-year-old son, avoided serious injury.
Merson said Goldman will raise concerns in her notice of claim about how the city maintains and monitors trees in Central Park.
A Law Department spokeswoman said the papers will be reviewed once they are served.