Taichung High Court orders Highway Bureau to pay 1.76 million TWD for fatal tree accident

The Taichung High Court has ordered the Highway Bureau's Central Maintenance Engineering Branch to pay a total of 1.76 million TWD in compensation following the death of a 48-year-old mail carrier. The incident occurred in April 2024 in Fenyuan Township, Changhua County, when a large Koelreuteria paniculata (Goldenrain tree) collapsed during heavy rain, striking the postal worker while he was on duty.

The victim's mother filed for state compensation, seeking funeral expenses, mental anguish damages, and support payments. While the lower court initially awarded 1.46 million TWD, the High Court increased the total to 1.76 million TWD, specifically raising the mental anguish compensation to 1.3 million TWD.

The court rejected the Highway Bureau's argument that the incident was an act of force majeure. Judges noted that while the bureau conducted inspections after the accident and identified 93 trees with poor root support for removal, they failed to implement necessary preventive measures before the fatal incident occurred. The Highway Bureau retains the right to appeal, while the victim's mother cannot further appeal the decision.