Washington Couple Settles Oregon ‘Treesort’ Claim

A Washington state couple has settled a lawsuit against Josephine County for $1.2 million after they were injured in a fall from a suspension bridge at a bed and breakfast made up of tree houses.

The federal court suit was filed after a 2008 fall at the Out `n’ About Treesort in Takilma.

Court records indicate the plaintiffs were having their picture taken on a bridge when the railing broke.

The county’s lawyer, Steve Rich, said its insurance company recently agreed to settle the claim. He said the county didn’t admit liability and settled to avoid more litigation.

The couple argued the county failed to inspect and issue permits for construction of the bridge; failed to require the design to meet applicable standards; and failed to stop the resort from building structures without inspections and permits. The family sought a total of about $7 million.