The family of a teenage girl seriously injured when a Navy parachutist crash-landed into spectators during San Francisco Fleet Week last year has filed a lawsuit against the city and event organizers, alleging negligence and unsafe conditions at the 2024 air show.
The complaint, filed Friday in San Francisco Superior Court, accuses the city, the San Francisco Fleet Week Association and Umbrella Entertainment Group, which operates as The Air Show Network, of failing to maintain proper safety measures during the U.S. Navy’s Leap Frogs parachute demonstration.
“Defendants, and each of them, breached their duty of care to Plaintiffs by negligently and carelessly operating, controlling, and/or supervising the parachute demonstration, including but not limited to: failing to ensure the US Navy had properly trained paratroopers doing jumps with supervisors present; failing to monitor and assess weather conditions; failing to establish adequate landing zones; failing to warn the public of the dangers of sitting near the landing zone; creating a false zone of safety for Plaintiffs,” the filing states.
The lawsuit stems from an Oct. 13, 2024 incident at Marina Green, where Millicent “Mia” DeGuzman, then 17, and her mother, Jhoanna DeGuzman, were watching the Leap Frogs’ performance.
Paramedics treat Millicent “Mia” DeGuzman and her mother, Jhoanna DeGuzman, after a Navy parachutist landed on them during the San Francisco Fleet Week 2024 airshow at the Marina Green. (Courtesy of Monica Edwards)
Witnesses said gusty winds caused one parachutist to veer off course and collide with the pair – shattering Mia’s pelvis and leaving her mother with a concussion and bruising.
“This was my first air show and I had no idea I was in danger,” Mia said in a statement issued shortly after the accident. “Now I can’t move without help and doctors say I may never be able to do the things I once could. Beyond the physical pain, the emotional trauma is overwhelming – what was supposed to be a joyful start to a new life here has turned into a nightmare I relive every day.”
The teen, who had immigrated to the United States from the Philippines only two days earlier, underwent surgery to repair her pelvis with metal screws and faces a long recovery, according to her family.
Attorney Tanya Gomerman of Gomerman Bourn & Associates, who represents the DeGuzmans, said the family continues to struggle with mounting medical expenses and lasting trauma.
An x-ray shared by the family of Millicent “Mia” DeGuzman, a 17-year-old who was injured after a Navy parachutist landed on her during San Francisco Fleet Week, shows large screws were inserted to hold her damaged pelvis together. (Gomerman, Bourn and Associates)
“There is no doubt that this is not what this parachutist or the Navy wanted to happen,” Gomerman said in a statement after the incident. “But regrettably, a young woman was injured. It’s a tragic incident that raises questions about safety protocols and accountability at events involving such high-risk displays.”
Fleet Week, one of San Francisco’s most popular annual events, draws hundreds of thousands to the waterfront for ship tours, exhibits and air shows. The 2025 edition wrapped up Monday after a successful week despite the ongoing federal government shutdown sidelining military participation, including the Blue Angels.
The complaint alleges that city and event officials failed to properly coordinate with the Navy and allowed spectators to sit dangerously close to the landing zone.
Spectators cheer on the arrival of the American flag carried by a member of the U.S. Navy “Leap Frogs” parachute team at the Fleet Week Air Show in San Francisco on October 10, 2021. (Jungho Kim/Special to The Chronicle)
City officials said Tuesday they had not yet been served with the complaint.
“Once we are served with the lawsuit, we will review the complaint and respond in court,” said Jen Kwart, a spokesperson for the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office.
The DeGuzmans are seeking unspecified damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Their attorneys said they remain open to a settlement but filed suit before the one-year statute of limitations expired.
Fleet Week organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This article originally published at Family of teen injured at Fleet Week sues San Francisco and organizers.