Girl Burned by Spotlight in Public Park Awarded $500,000 Settlement

By EinsteinCMS Administrator

Published on January 07, 2008

Sofia Silva was with her father in August 2004 when the incident occurred. The girl suffered second- and third-degree burns on her body.

A nearby motorist who was stopped at a red light and witnessed the spotlight spark a fire on Sofia’s dress was a key witness for the plaintiffs. The woman told police that after witnessing the girl’s dress catch fire, she raced from her vehicle and helped Sofia’s father and members of a soccer team extinguish the flames.

The lawsuit sought compensation for physical injuries and disfigurement, as well as for physical and emotional pain. In the end, the city agreed to pay Sofia’s mother, Silvana Milichi of Stamford, Connecticut, $375,000. AFB Construction Management, the contractor in charge of Stamford’s city parks, agreed to pay $125,000.

AFB claims that the lighting in the park was designed and installed by a city electrician prior to AFB taking over park maintenance in January 2004.

The spotlights in question were replaced shortly after the incident occurred.

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