El Monte : $180,000 Awarded for Injury

A 9-year-old girl has won a $180,000 damage award against El Monte for injuries received while playing on a merry-go-round at municipally owned Mountain View Park. Belinda Ramirez’s foot was mangled in the 1982 accident and two toes had to be amputated.

R. Samuel Paz, attorney for Ramirez, contended that the merry-go-round was dangerous. Retired Judge Howard McClain, arbitrator in the case, issued the award last month after the city and Paz entered binding arbitration to settle a suit filed by the girl.