On July 14, 2022, an 80‑year‑old oak tree that had been extending over the rented house at 10 Circle Drive in Lindale, Georgia, collapsed, trapping William Jennings beneath the trunk and leaving him permanently paralyzed.
But Jennings had warned landlord Romulus Investments, specifically owner Christopher Alvey, that the tree was decaying and dangerous, yet no inspection or removal ever took place.
The lease demanded prompt repairs, and Georgia law imposes a duty to maintain habitability; the trial court granted summary judgment to Romulus, but the appellate judges found factual disputes over the landlord’s obligations and the tenant’s notifications.
The appellate decision on October 14, 2026, reversed the summary judgment and opened the path for a trial where liability and damages will be contested.