Storm Damage Cited in Claims Filed Against Redondo Beach

An international restaurant company filed claims for more than $2 million against the City of Redondo Beach this week, saying that the city failed to protect the firm’s three restaurants from ocean storms that battered the harbor in January.

The Irvine-based Restaurant Enterprises Group filed claims for damages of $2 million to Reubens restaurant on Portofino Way, $30,000 to Breakers restaurant--which is on the end of the Redondo Beach Pier--and $15,500 to El Torito restaurant at the base of the pier.

City Manager Tim Casey said El Torito was not physically damaged but lost utility lines and business while the pier was closed for several days.

The restaurant company’s insurance carrier, National Union Fire Insurance Co., also filed claims against the city this week for $61,000.

The companies said in their claims that the city was responsible for the storm damage because of its “failure to design, engineer and construct properly, fortify, maintain, repair, enlarge and/or expand outer harbor breakwater, seawalls, barriers, bulkheads and/or quaywalls.”

A dozen businesses on the International Boardwalk adjacent to the pier have filed claims totaling $189,000 for damages they claim to have suffered as a result of the storm.

Casey said he does not believe that the city is responsible for any of the damage to harbor businesses.

Five people who were at the Blue Moon Saloon when a wave crashed through the window of that restaurant have filed claims against the city for $25,000 each. Harbor Director Sheila Schoettger filed a $7,785 claim against the city for damage to her car, which was parked in a harbor parking lot during the storm.

The outcome of those claims could not be determined Thursday. Such claims usually are rejected, but under California law, someone wishing to sue a city must first file a claim.