Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
Here is today’s burning question: I was in the process of extinguishing a car fire when a city bus drove over our hose line. The hose got snagged, knocking me down, and now I have $58,000 worth of medical bills. Can I recover any damages from the bus company?
As a matter of fact you can, but the suit may take a while. Henry Greenawald, a firefighter with the Central Volunteer Fire Company in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, was injured in 2003 when an Alleghany County Port Authority bus drove over and snagged a hose in its rear wheels. Greenawald was thrown from his feet permanently injuring his right arm. He filed suit in 2005.
On Wednesday, the Port Authority agreed to settle the case for $110,000. Incidentally, that number seems a bit low for someone with permanent injuries and $58,000 in medical bills. However, it is likely that tort claims protection combined with the fireman’s rule may have contributed to the low figure. More on the story.
