Nugent & Bryant Secures $198,000 Judgment for Hamden Homeowners in Tree Damage Case
D’Aniello et al. v. Green et al. | Connecticut Superior Court | January 2026
When Kurt D’Aniello and Annalisa Paltauf discovered that five mature trees on their Hamden property had been severely damaged by their neighbors’ contractor, they turned to our Hamden, CT personal injury lawyer to fight for justice. On January 29, 2026, the Connecticut Superior Court entered judgment in their favor for $198,000—a significant victory that demonstrates our commitment to holding negligent parties accountable for property damage.
The Case
In November 2022, our clients’ neighbors, concerned about tree limbs potentially falling onto their own property after a storm, hired a landscaping contractor to trim five trees that had branches overhanging the property line from our clients’ home to theirs.
The contractor “topped” all five trees, removing every single branch and leaving only bare stalks. Tree topping is a destructive practice that removes the entire crown of a tree, and the damage to our clients’ property was devastating.
The Fight For Fair Compensation
The defendants did not challenge their liability at trial. Instead, the case centered on damages, specifically, determining the true value of what our clients lost. This required presenting compelling testimony to establish just how severe the damage really was.
We retained two professional arborists to testify on behalf of our clients. James R. White provided testimony regarding the value of the trees, while David Severino testified about their health and the long-term consequences of the topping. Mr. Severino’s testimony was particularly powerful: he explained that the severe pruning, combined with the topping, had killed one tree outright and doomed the remaining four to eventual, premature death. The trees could no longer adequately feed themselves through photosynthesis, and the numerous cuts created entry points for water, fungus, and insects that would ultimately destroy them.
The defendants presented their own arborist, who attempted to discount the trees’ value by 50%, claiming they remained viable. The court rejected this argument, finding our witnesses’ testimony more credible and concluding that the better, weightier evidence supported our clients’ position.
The Verdict
Judge James Field Spallone awarded $66,000 as the total value of the destroyed trees based on Mr. White’s testimony. Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-560, which governs damage to trees on another person’s property, the court applied mandatory triple damages. The final judgment was $198,000 for our clients.
Protecting Property Owners’ Rights
This case illustrates an important principle: property owners have rights, and those who damage their property, whether through negligence or recklessness, must be held accountable. Connecticut law specifically provides enhanced damages for tree destruction because the legislature recognized the significant value trees bring to properties and communities.
At Nugent & Bryant, we take property damage cases seriously. If you’ve suffered damage to your property due to someone else’s negligence, contact our office today for a free consultation. We’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
