The family of a child who sustained severe burns after walking on hot coals and ash debris at a park in La Jolla is suing the city of San Diego.
In a July 7 lawsuit obtained by Times of San Diego, the toddler’s mother, Sarah Varni Goldberg, said the one-year-old boy and his grandmother were walking along the walkway near the stairs of Kellogg Park when the boy stepped on hot coals and ash debris.
The boy, according to the lawsuit, sustained severe thermal burns to his feet and screamed in pain as his flesh peeled back and he suffered immediate swelling.
The toddler was immediately transported to the hospital for emergency medical treatment. He was put under anesthesia for procedures to treat his burns and was unable to walk for some time after the incident.
The burns caused permanent disfiguration to the boy’s foot, and the lawsuit alleges that he still suffers pain and emotional distress as a result of the event.
“He has suffered and continues to suffer disfigurement, pain and suffering, and emotional distress as a result of the incident,” reads the lawsuit.
Maria Severson, an attorney representing the family, said in a statement, “The city of San Diego has had prior claims where a child has been burned by hot coals and ash at city parks. This little boy’s foot was burned by hot ash as he ran and played in the park. This is both unfortunate and unacceptable.”
Despite knowing of the danger, the family’s lawsuit alleges, the city failed to put designated fire and coal disposal receptacles, regular ash-clearance protocols for pedestrian areas, or adequate warning systems in place to prevent the public from coming in contact with hot coals and ash.
The lawsuit also states that the city was obligated to keep the park safe for members of the public, including young children. In addition to punitive damages for the toddler’s injuries, the family is also seeking damages for suffering emotional distress and psychological trauma.
The city of San Diego declined to comment on the lawsuit due to pending litigation.
