Lawsuit alleges child suffered serious burn from police motorcycle at Florham Park community event

FLORHAM PARK BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — A lawsuit filed against the Borough of Florham Park and its police department alleges a child suffered a serious burn after being placed on a police motorcycle during a community event last year.

The complaint was filed Aug. 31 in Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Morris County, by Nicole Scarpa, individually and as the mother and natural guardian of the minor identified in the lawsuit as V.S. The Borough of Florham Park, Florham Park Police Department and unidentified defendants are named in the lawsuit.

According to the complaint, Scarpa and her child attended a public community gathering on Aug. 5, 2025, at 37 Elm Street in Florham Park. The lawsuit alleges police officers interacted with children and other members of the public while displaying police vehicles and equipment, including a motorcycle.

The lawsuit alleges an unidentified police officer invited, assisted, permitted or physically placed the child on the motorcycle while its exhaust system, exhaust pipe or related components were at a temperature capable of causing serious burns. The complaint alleges the defendants failed to determine whether the motorcycle was safe and failed to warn the child or her parent or guardian about the alleged danger.

According to the complaint, the child suffered a serious burn to her right leg. The lawsuit alleges the injury resulted in serious pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent scarring and disfigurement.

The lawsuit also alleges the borough and police department failed to establish or enforce reasonable safeguards involving children and police vehicles and failed to adequately instruct, train or supervise personnel concerning the risk posed by hot motorcycle exhaust systems during public demonstrations, community events and interactions with children.

Scarpa is seeking compensatory damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, costs of the lawsuit and other relief the court may deem appropriate. The plaintiffs have also demanded a jury trial.

The allegations are contained in the plaintiffs’ complaint and have not been presented as findings by the court.

RNJ has reached out to the Borough of Florham Park for comment. This story will be updated if a response is received.