Neighbor refuses to give me name of tree trimmer who damaged my car while palm tree trimming

[Ultrarunner]

If you've got nothing to loose relationship wise with your neighbor... take him to court. At least he will have the opportunity to explain himself to you and the judge when you question him or plead the 5th...

If he hired a laborer and not a contractor, he as the employer would be responsible... that is why I only hire licensed and insured individuals...

My Neighbor refused to turn over the info on his tree trimmer... I went ahead and had the damaged repaired and neighbor offered to pay for the parts... I did the work myself. Never did find out who the guy up in the tree was.

I'm certain the trimmer was illegal... frustrating as all get out...

[yukiko11]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I realize this won't help in your search for a professional, but the fact that your neighbor is being unhelpful in providing the name of the person who supposedly damaged your car while trimming his palms seems very suspicious in itself. It is possible that your neighbor might have hired illegal aliens, which could explain his unwillingness to cooperate.

At this point, you should definitely file a police report, and contact your insurance company. Let them do the investigation. Once you get the cops involved, they will likely attempt to get the truth out of your neighbor.

I totally agree. This is what you pay your insurane company for. Let them do the paperwork. If the trees in question are not healthy, this could also be a homeowners insurance problem for your neighbor.

[GrandviewGloria]

If the tree is eighty feet tall, then the stem-end of a frond (the end that would be attached to the tree trunk) could definitely do that much damage. Dried fronds are like wood. That's how they can stick to the tree for decades.

Of course, getting the name of the tree trimmer may be a dicey proposition in itself. Will it be the guy's birth name, or the name of the poor guy whose Social Security Number he's using? Frankly, your neighbor may fear retaliation, if he gives out the guy's name (assuming he didn't hire the man out of Lowe's parking lot that morning).

[Finger Laker]

i agree in letting your insurance company get on it - they'll either pay it and take the loss or they'll attempt to subrogate and recover damages

there needs to be a distinction though between liability and coverage

you can be liable for something that is not covered and you can be defended for actions that you are ultimately not liable for

that is a very important distinction

your insurance company, if they feel it's worth it, will attempt to sort through the details

the owner is ultimately responsible for everything that happens on his property ...... this is a big reason why it's a good idea to hire insured and bonded workers ....... a guy who is on his ladder cleaning your gutter fall and hurts himself without any personal insurace it's you as the homeowner who will be paying

guy is mowing your lawn and the mower spits a rock and takes out some kids eye - without insurance it's on you

often in serious issues all parties are claimed and then worked out from there

on actual construction job sites you have an owner, a GC and the subs ....... the GC will traditionally provide their own insurance and hold the owner harmless - it's up to the owner to verify the coverage ........ then the GC will hire subs who will hold the GC harmless and provide their own insurance and it's up to the GC to verify the insurance of the sub

i know it's a bit different in the commercial coverages, but conceptually it's close enough

[snowthedirtbub]

Sounds like its time for some street justice, when is the next rainy night?......toliet paper anyone?