There's no monkeying around for one parent at a Bakersfield City School. Randall Houston is asking the city school district to pay $19,000 after his daughter fell off the monkey bars and broke her wrist. Houston is not the first parent to file this kind of claim. Past Bakersfield City School Board meeting agendas show other parents have filed similar claims.
While it's not uncommon to fall off the monkey bars, Randall Houston says Caroline Harris Elementary School is responsible for his daughter's broken wrist and damages for her "traumatic experience." Houston said his daughter's accident could've been prevented if there was grip tape on the monkey bars. However, 17 News discovered most schools and playgrounds around town don't have grips on their monkey bars. Teresa Walker says her kids have had similar accidents, but she never pointed fingers.
"They're kids," Walker said. "They're going to get hurt and people can't watch them all the time. I don't think the school is responsible at all."
Dorita Teston sees it another way.
"When it comes to our child's health and safety, we'll do anything we can to protect our kids," Teston explained.
Four claims for "damages to person or property" have been brought before the city school board in 2009. As with the previous four cases, the school board will deny the claim at Tuesday night's board meeting.
In a statement, Bakersfield City School District spokesman Steve Gabbatis explained, "Whenever a parent files a claim with the school district, we turn it over to the insurance company and they deal with it from that time forward."
17 News reached out to Randall Houston who directed us to his attorney Craig Johnson. Johnson said he couldn’t comment on the case by our 5:00 pm deadline, but attorney Daniel Rodriguez says based on past playground lawsuits, Houston might have a solid case
"It's pretty easy to prevent serious head injuries by putting in a soft surface, and it sounds like most schools have done that," Rodriquez said explaining past playground claims. "So yes, there are some accidents---accidents will happen but there are some accidents that are clearly preventable with a little common sense."
Houston is asking for $19,000 dollars because he says the medical bills are $9,000, and he says his daughter's "traumatic experience" is worth $10,000.
