Tree Service Owner Arrested for Lack of Workers' Comp Insurance

Christina Cole

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The owner of Don Estlund's Tree Service is facing charges for operating without workers' compensation insurance.

Allegedly, he admitted to operating his business for eight years without state-mandated coverage when one of his employees incurred a steep medical debt after suffering an injury on the job.

He was arrested, on Thursday and booked into the Sarasota County Jail. If convicted of the charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison along with fines and restitutions.

Workers' Compensation insurance is required by state law to protect workers and is vitally important to those with high risk jobs, said Florida's Chief Financial Officer, in charge of Department of Financial Services.

In 2005, Estlund's employee, had his left arm and hand crushed by a falling 12-foot section of tree, causing him to incur $255,759 in medical expenses.

Detectives said because Estlund operated outside of the law, Aicher has found himself solely responsible for all injury-related bills. If convicted, Estlund could be held responsible for all expenses that would have been covered by the workers' compensation insurance, including Aicher's medical bills, rehabilitation expenses and loss of wages, the release said.