Modesto has paid $80,000 to settle allegations that one of its firefighters tripped and fell on a third-grader and broke her arm during a Fire Department safety event called the Clown Program, in which firefighters dress up as clowns to teach schoolchildren such basics as when to call 911 and how to get out of a burning house.
The accident occurred Oct. 8, 2015, at Sonoma Elementary School. The Law Offices of Tanya Gomerman filed a claim against the city in April 2016 on behalf of Camila Gomez, the Sonoma Elementary student who was injured.
“This is a great program,” City Attorney Adam Lindgren said. “This was an unfortunate accident, and the city looked at the case, stepped up and took responsibility and settled with the family.”