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Aspiring dancer paralyzed by palm tree receives dlrs 7.6 million

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December 1, 2000 

LOS ANGELES-- (UNB/AP) - An aspiring dancer who was paralyzed by a falling palm tree will receive dlrs 7.6 million as part of a settlement approved by the City Council.

The settlement reached Wednesday concludes a negligence lawsuit filed on behalf of Tony Scott, 33, who suffered a spinal fracture when a dead palm tree struck him as he was walking his dog near his home in the Koreatown neighborhood near downtown.

The lawsuit contended the 60-foot (18-meter) tree had been dead about four years and had no roots to anchor it before the April 9, 1999, accident.

"When it hit the ground it just shattered into pieces, it was so old and rotten," said Scott's attorney, Randy McMurray.

Scott, who had moved to Los Angeles from Miami to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer, now must use a wheelchair.

"Hopefully I'll be able to afford the things I need to help me live as comfortably, happy and healthy as possible in this situation," Scott said.

The city had planned to prune the tree and about 45 others when the accident happened, said Dan Woodard, a senior assistant city attorney.