Woman Sues Brookfield Property Owner for Negligence After Falling Tree Limb Allegedly Causes Broken Nose, Lost Teeth
Claudia Cenedella alleges John Holdcraft ignored warnings about a dangerous tree limb. Separate court filings raise questions about conflicting residential-address statements.
By Christopher Kelleher | The Brookfield Examiner
October 12, 2026 11:15 A.M.
BROOKFIELD, Mass. — A woman who alleges she suffered a concussion, broken nose, lost teeth and serious facial lacerations after being struck by a falling tree limb at a Brookfield property has filed a negligence lawsuit against property owner John D. Holdcraft in Worcester Superior Court.
The lawsuit, filed June 22, 2026, by Claudia Cenedella, alleges that Holdcraft knew about a dangerous, damaged tree limb hanging over the driveway at 106 Lake Road but failed to remove it despite receiving advance warning.
According to the complaint, Cenedella was living at the property as a tenant-at-will with Holdcraft’s knowledge and consent.
On or about March 10, 2025, Cenedella was walking in the driveway when the damaged limb allegedly broke free, struck her directly in the face and knocked her to the ground.
The complaint describes injuries including a concussion, fractured nose, loss of teeth and serious facial lacerations. Cenedella also alleges continuing pain and suffering, medical expenses, anticipated future medical costs and lost wages.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages and demands a jury trial.
The allegations have not been established by a court.
WARNINGS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT
The central allegation in Cenedella’s lawsuit is not simply that a tree limb fell, but that Holdcraft allegedly knew about the danger before the accident and failed to correct it.
According to the complaint, the property was surrounded by large pine trees, including one located adjacent to the driveway.
Before March 10, 2025, a large limb on that tree had reportedly sustained damage and was left hanging in a dangerous position over the driveway.
Cenedella alleges that she notified Holdcraft of the hazardous condition and requested that the limb be removed.
Despite that warning, the complaint alleges, Holdcraft failed or refused to take corrective action.
According to the lawsuit Over the following weeks and months, the damaged limb deteriorated further. Heavy winds caused it to shift farther into the driveway, increasing the danger to people using the property and eventually the limb broke free and struck Cenedella in the face.
The complaint alleges that Holdcraft, as the property’s owner and manager, exercised control over its maintenance and was responsible for addressing hazardous conditions on the grounds.
Cenedella contends that his failure to remove, secure or otherwise address the damaged limb constituted negligence.
The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount of damages. Instead, Cenedella seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other recoverable damages.
She is represented by attorneys Korey S. Kajko and Jessie R. Webber of Sweeney Merrigan Law LLP.
ADDRESS DISCREPANCY EMERGES IN COURT FILINGS
A separate issue emerged during the proceedings when Holdcraft requested additional time to respond to Cenedella’s lawsuit, raising questions about the address where legal documents had been served.
Court records show that Holdcraft filed a handwritten motion on August 19, 2026, stating that he had received the legal documents at 43 Allen Road in Sturbridge but asserting:
“I do not live there.”
Holdcraft identified an address in Brookfield as his residence and questioned why the constable had delivered the documents to Sturbridge.
On September 4, Superior Court Judge Gillian Feiner granted Holdcraft an additional 30 days to file his answer. The court’s endorsement did not specify that the address dispute was the basis for granting the extension.
However, a review of another lawsuit reveals a conflicting residential-address statement.
On June 22, 2026 — the same day Cenedella filed her negligence lawsuit — Holdcraft filed a separate civil complaint against two defendants arising from a motor vehicle collision.
In the first paragraph of that complaint, filed through his attorney, Holdcraft identified his residence as follows:
“The plaintiff is an individual residing at 43 Allen Road, Sturbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts.”
The two court filings therefore contain differing statements about whether Holdcraft resided at the Sturbridge address.
The reason for the discrepancy remains unresolved.
Meanwhile, Cenedella’s negligence allegations have not been established by a court. Whether Holdcraft bears legal responsibility for her alleged injuries remains to be determined.
Editor’s Disclosure: Brookfield Examiner editor Christopher Kelleher is the plaintiff in a separate, pending civil lawsuit against John D. Holdcraft. That lawsuit is not the subject of this report.
Editor’s Note: This report is based on civil complaints, docket entries and a handwritten motion filed in Worcester Superior Court. Allegations in pending civil lawsuits have not been established as fact. Holdcraft’s response to the negligence allegations and differing address statements had not been obtained for this report.