SAN FRANCISCO — A Navy veteran is suing after what his lawyer describes as a 16-pound pine cone fell and crushed his skull in San Francisco.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Sean Mace is suing the U.S. government, the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park for $5 million.
Mace's attorney Scott Johnson says the veteran was relaxing under a non-native pine tree at the maritime park at the city's Fort Mason Center when the cone fell, causing an irreversible brain injury. Johnson says Mace has had two surgeries and requires a third. According to court papers obtained by the Chronicle, Mace suffered a “traumatic brain injury, with severe and likely irreversible cognitive deficits.”
Mace reportedly found the spot under the Australian Araucaria bidwillii tree to watch the Blue Angels air show in October of 2014. His attorney filed the suit in early September of this year.
“He’s afraid to go outside at this point because he’s afraid something is going to hit him in the head,” Johnson told the Chronicle. “Our priority is to institute change and help this guy out. He was doing pretty well before the accident, and now he is completely dependent and will likely need lifetime care.”
The park has since fenced off the grove and added signs warning "Danger: Giant seed pod falling from tree."
Representatives from the U.S. attorney's office and San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park did not return requests for comment.