Workers Compensation

Orlando Firefighter Sues For Wrongful Termination

The Orlando firefighter who was terminated for audio recording the rant of a City Commissioner while on a medical run, has filed suit for wrongful termination and retaliation. Firefighter-Paramedic Joshua L. Granada was terminated after he used his cellphone to record a hostile verbal encounter with City Commissioner Regina Hill.

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NY Chief Sues Over 9/11 Related Illness

The fire chief in Utica was in court yesterday pressing the city to have his leukemia treated as a 9/11 related illness. Fire Chief Russell Brooks filed suit against the City for denying his claim that his chronic lymphocytic leukemia was brought on by his work at the World Trade Center in 2001.

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Compensation for Voluntary Attendance at Open House

Today’s burning question: Our department hosts an open house during fire prevention week. When the recession hit back in 2009 the department stopped compensating off-duty members who attended the open house. Can the department refuse to pay us for that time, and what would happen if one of our off-duty uncompensated members is injured at the open house?

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Florida Firefighter Files FMLA Suit

A Florida firefighter who was terminated last year is claiming the fire department violated the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Sergio Valdes was fired by the Greater Naples Fire Rescue on December 28, 2016, the same day he returned from a work related injury.

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Hartford Lieutenant Fired For Comp Abuse

A Hartford fire lieutenant who was at the center of an investigation and lawsuit into the line of duty death of Firefighter Kevin Bell at a house fire in 2014, has been terminated for workers compensation abuse.

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Canadian Chief Sues for Wrongful Termination

A former British Columbia fire chief has filed suit claiming he was wrongfully terminated following a battle with post traumatic stress disorder. Penticton Fire Chief Wayne Williams filed suit this week claiming the City of Penticton wrongfully retired him while he was recovering from PTSD

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RI Supreme Court Reverses Denial Of Disability Pension

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has reversed a decision by the City of Providence’s Retirement Board that denied a disability pension to Rescue Captain Michael Morse. Mike, who is a well known author and blogger, injured his back in 2012 while lifting a patient.

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Pension for Disabled NY Firefighter Restored by Appellate Court

A disabled New York firefighter has successfully prevailed in challenging his former city’s attempt to cut his disability payments. Mount Vernon firefighter Michael Masullo was permanently disabled in 2000, and granted a disability pension in 2004. In 2009, the city demanded he apply for any further benefits.

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Fireman’s Rule and Recovering for Injuries

Today’s burning question: I am a career firefighter and tore my left MCL on a medical call when a patient kicked me. I am receiving worker's comp, but I was wondering if a firefighter has the ability recover from the responsible party? Answer: A firefighter's ability to recover is going to depend initially on your state’s interpretation of the “Fireman’s Rule”.

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