A California woman’s life changed suddenly after a windstorm sent a tree branch crashing down on her while she was outside with a friend in Santa Rosa. The incident left 22-year-old Jasmine Mayer with a severe spinal cord injury and paralysis from the waist down, according to reporting cited by the Daily Mail and San Francisco Chronicle.
Jasmine was sitting outside near Steele Lane Elementary School—knitting and chatting with her best friend—when a massive tree branch crashed down on them amid gusts reaching 61 mph. The impact left Mayer with catastrophic injuries, including a severe spinal cord injury, fractured vertebrae, broken and bruised ribs, internal bleeding, and a blood clot.
Emergency crews rushed her to UC Davis Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery to stabilize her spine, graft skin over shredded tissue, and fuse damaged disks. A second procedure was performed on May 27 to address her extensive wounds.
Doctors have described the tree branch injuries as catastrophic, though the spinal cord was not completely severed. Mayer is currently paralyzed from the waist down, but early reports indicate she is beginning to experience pins-and-needles sensations in her legs and feet—a small but hopeful sign amid an otherwise grueling recovery.
Her father, Andy Mayer, described the moment in heartbreaking detail: “She was knitting and talking to her friend, and the tree branch came right down on them.” He added that the family harbors “no anger” because it was not the result of recklessness like a drunk driver.
“It’s just an unimaginable incident,” he said, praising his daughter’s unwavering positivity. “She’s been kind to everyone through the pain… that hasn’t changed at all.” The family’s focus is now on securing the best possible rehabilitation equipment, an accessible vehicle, and modified housing to support her new reality.
A GoFundMe campaign launched by close friend Lauren Kelleher has already raised more than $51,800 of its $100,000 goal to help cover Mayer’s extensive medical bills, rehabilitation, mobility aids, and long-term care needs.
The same storm claimed another life in Santa Rosa. Sixty-one-year-old Ralph Harrington was killed when a separate tree branch fell on him, highlighting just how dangerous high winds can become when combined with mature trees in populated areas.
Why This Matters for California Personal Injury Victims
Incidents like these are a sobering reminder that California’s frequent Santa Ana wind events—exacerbated by drought-stressed trees and increasingly volatile weather—can create hidden hazards on both private and public property.
Trees located near schools, parks, sidewalks, or residential areas are subject to a duty of care. Property owners, HOAs, cities, and school districts must inspect and maintain trees that could pose an unreasonable risk of harm.
Premises Liability Law
Under California premises liability law, if a dangerous condition (such as a weakened or overhanging branch) existed and the responsible party knew—or reasonably should have known—about it, injured victims and their families may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Compensation can cover not only immediate hospital bills and surgeries but also future medical care, lost wages, home modifications, adaptive vehicles, and the profound pain and suffering that accompanies permanent paralysis or disability.
Even when no one appears “at fault” in the traditional sense, experienced personal injury attorneys can investigate tree maintenance records, weather data, prior complaints, and property ownership to determine whether negligence played a role. Early legal guidance is critical: evidence can disappear quickly after a storm, and statutes of limitations apply.
Image credit: GoFundMe
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
