Fire pit burn case may be settled

A lawsuit filed against the city of Huntington Beach by a family whose child was burned after he fell into a fire pit two years ago may have been settled, according to the Orange County Superior Court.

A hearing is to take place on Aug. 26, when the judge may dismiss the case.

Huntington Beach City Attorney Jennifer McGrath said the two parties reached a settlement this week, but are still awaiting court approval, which could take months.

“Since the plaintiff is a minor, the court requires that the judge makes sure the settlement is fair,” she said.

Attorneys for the family could not be reached by press time.

Seth Richardson, then age 6, fell into a smoldering fire pit on April 17, 2011, while he was flying a kite on the beach, burning his arm and chest.

Richardson was sent to UC Irvine Regional Burn Center where he underwent treatment for a few days, according to a previous story in the Independent.

The Richardson family held the city responsible for their son’s injuries and filed a claim in Aug. 10, 2011, asking the city for $500,000. The family eventually sued the city on Feb. 15, 2012.

—Anthony Clark Carpio