Actor Eric Dane is suing Smashing Pumpkins lead singer Billy Corgan over a fallen tree that smashed into Dane's house.
Dane and Corgan are apparently neighbors in Beverly Hills, Calif. During a storm in December, a giant tree on Corgan's property toppled onto Dane's house. The "McSteamy" actor claims the tree almost killed his very pregnant wife, actress Rebecca Geyheart, reports ABC News.
The fallen tree set off a sprinkler system that allegedly flooded the house. It also snapped power lines that could have potentially exposed live wire to water, Dane's lawsuit states.
Fortunately, everyone inside the house was able to escape unharmed. However, McSteamy is still steamed. In the lawsuit, Eric Dane claims Billy Corgan had been warned in the past that the tree was shaky and dangerous, according to ABC News.
Corgan said he was "horrified" when he learned that the tree fell on Dane's house. But the singer maintains he never received any warning from Dane that his trees were in a dangerous condition.
Neighbor disputes are nothing new. Neighbors can fight about noise, boundaries, and pretty much anything else. But neighbor disputes can often be resolved without the involvement of a lawyer or court. You can simply tell your neighbor what's bothering you, and in most cases your neighbor will do the neighborly thing and resolve the issue.
However, in some cases, your neighbor may be difficult or the damage may have already occurred (e.g., a tree smashing into your home). In these cases, you may have no alternative but to sue or threaten to sue to get compensation.
Neighbor disputes can be very sensitive because you may still have to live next to that person long after the legal dispute is resolved. That's why you may want to work with a real estate attorney to act as a buffer between you and your neighbor.
Related Resources:
- Billy Corgan sued by 'Grey's Anatomy"s Eric Dane after alleged 'killer' tree (NME)
- JWoww, Snooki Neighbors Brace Themselves for Reality Hell (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Foxy Brown Cleared of 'Mooning' Charges: Witness Refused to Testify (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)