Millions sought from city

Newport Beach is facing two claims for millions of dollars from separate incidents off the coastline last year.

The parents of Victor Wang, a 17-year-old from Claremont, are asking the city to hand over $20 million after their son died in March 2008 when he was swept away near the 28th Street jetty. According to the claim, Wang was swimming in the area that afternoon and disappeared. His body was found hours later. His parents claim there were no flags posted or visible signs showing there was high surf or high wind conditions that day.

The family said in the complaint the amount takes into consideration pain and suffering from losing their son and costs incurred from paramedics trying to revive their son.

News reports at the time said Wang was there with two friends, who lifeguards managed to rescue off the jetty. When Wang was discovered, lifeguards attempted to resuscitate him all the way to the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he was pronounced dead.

In a separate filing in February, Michelle Taylor of Santa Barbara is claiming that the city owes her $500,000 after her son was paralyzed off the coast when he dove into a wave and slammed his head into the ocean floor, paralyzing him.

In her claim, she cites the dangerous conditions in the water that August afternoon and the lifeguard’s failure to warn the public as due cause. She describes the shock and horror she felt at seeing her son’s severe injury as he was pulled from the water.

Often, claims with a city are the first step on the way to a lawsuit. If the city denies it then a lawsuit can be filed.

Lifeguard officials declined to comment on either case.

Reporter JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.