City blamed for monkey-bar injury

A 5-year-old Huntington Beach resident’s guardian filed a claim against the city after the child fell off the monkey bars, fracturing her arm and chipping her tooth.

Emma Gallardo’s guardian filed a claim for her May 13 for an unknown amount of more than $10,000 in damages, according to the claim. Emma is listed as the official claimant on the form.

Emma was playing on the monkey bars at Bolsa View Park, 5653 Brighton Drive, at around 3 p.m. March 8 when she fell off onto “compacted sand,” according to the claim.

She chipped her tooth and fractured her arm, requiring surgery, according to the claim.

Emma’s attorney couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.

The city was negligent in maintaining the sand around the playground and created a “dangerous condition,” according to the claim.

City spokesperson Laurie Payne said the claim is being investigated and no action has been taken.

— Britney Barnes