Die Haftung des Waldeigentümers im Waldbestand und entlang von Strassen (Essay)|The forest owner's liability within the stand and along the road (essay)

The author investigates under which circumstances the forest owner is liable for damage caused by falling branches and trees. In particular, he outlines the potential for liability issues raised with traffic roads. According to the general legal terms, it is the owner of the road and not the forest owner who is liable under this circumstance. By the example of the law in the canton Zürich the author shows how the community as owner of the public roads may shift its risk of liability to the forest owner by legislatory instruments. To avoid this liability the forest owner has to implement actions to secure the traffic roads. These actions are associated with high costs.