HUNTINGTON BEACH : Offer to Pay Jeep Victim’s Medical Costs Rejected

Attorneys for a woman who was run over by a lifeguard Jeep while sunbathing in Huntington Beach on Monday said that the city’s offer to pay her medical expenses “is nice,” but inadequate.

Ed Thompson, a risk manager for the City of Huntington Beach, said an offer to pay her costs or “something to that effect” had been issued Wednesday by a city committee, including himself and City Atty. Gail Hutton. But he declined to give the specific language of the city’s offer.

“It shows an awareness of the short-term difficulties,” said Robert Long, an attorney for the injured woman, Beverly Cota. “But that’s really only part of what we’re seeking. That’s part of the total picture. Right now we’re in a position where we’re trying to evaluate the liability and damages, but I think it’s going to be a lot larger than the medical bills,” Long said.

Cota has been hospitalized since Monday at Pacifica Community Hospital in Huntington Beach with leg and back injuries. She had gone to the beach early Monday afternoon to sunbathe and study for a real estate license exam when Huntington Beach city lifeguard Andrew Weissenberger ran over her with a Jeep. Weissenberger has been suspended from his duties pending further investigation of the case.