Florida Firefighters Suing For Hearing Loss

Twenty-three firefighters from Palm Beach County Fire Department, Boca Raton Fire Department and West Palm Beach Fire Department have filed suit against Federal Signal Corporation seeking $3.45 million in damages for hearing loss associated with siren noise.

The lawsuit, similar to hundreds of similar suits across the country against Federal Signal, alleges that the company’s sirens were “defective” and “unreasonably dangerous” causing them permanent and irreversible hearing loss

The attorney representing the firefighters, Joe Cappelli of Bern Cappelli LLP, has successfully recovered damages for firefighters from Federal Signal in Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The suit seeks $75,000 in damages for strict product liability and $75,000 for negligence for each plaintiff.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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