Wrongful death

Court Dismisses Wrongful Death Suit Against DeKalb County Fire Rescue

The US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the mother of a man who died after exhibiting “excited delirium” and being sedated by DeKalb County Fire Rescue. Yvonne West brought suit against DeKalb County, a fire captain, four firefighters, and four police officers over the death of Jamon West in 2019.

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Colorado Springs Settles Wrongful Death Suit for $160k

The City of Colorado Springs has agreed to settle a wrongful death suit brought by the daughter of a homeless woman who was inadvertently run over by a brush unit responding to a fire in a park in 2022. Margaret Miller, 76, was lying on the ground under debris and blankets on a dirt path.

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Arbitrator Reinstates California Firefighters

Two Rialto, California firefighters who were terminated in the aftermath of a high-profile EMS incident in 2021, have been reinstated by an arbitrator. Captain Josh Gilliam, Firefighter-Paramedic Matt Payne, and Engineer Mark Brady were accused of wrongfully refusing to enter the Rialto Post Acute Care Center on November 17, 2021 due to COVID related concerns.

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Wrongful Death Suit Blames Delayed Response of St. Louis Medic Unit

The City of St. Louis and two fire department EMTs are facing a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the sister of a man who died in 2021. Sharon LaRue claims that St. Louis Fire Department Medic 32 was dispatched for her brother, who has been struck by a vehicle. She further claims that Medic 32 stopped after being struck by a rock.

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Colorado Medic and Police Officer Sued Over Death of Suicidal Man

The estate of a man who died while in police custody after suffering from a mental health emergency, has filed suit against a police officer and a fire department medic who restrained him. Kevin Dizmang died on November 15, 2022 after a failed intervention by the Colorado Springs Police Department Crisis Response Unit.

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Maui Firefighter’s Mother Sues Captain Over LODD

The mother of a Maui firefighter who died after being caught in a storm drain last year, has filed suit against his company officer claiming his decision-making led to her son’s death. Chelsie Evans filed suit in Maui County Circuit Court naming Fire Captain Scott Martin, and 10 unnamed defendants.

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Fire Law Roundup for January 22, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 22, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a wrongful death sue brought against two firefighters and a city over the death of a homeless man who overdosed; the settlement of a wrongful ...

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Fatal Detroit Fire Apparatus Crash Must Go to Trial

The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that a trial judge erred when he dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit brought against the City of Detroit by the husband of a woman who died in a crash with a responding DFD engine. India D. Sullivan died several months after the December 4, 2017 crash.

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Buffalo LODD Suit Names City, Building Owner and Contractor

The widow of a firefighter who died in a building fire last March, has filed suit against the building’s owner, a contractor, and the City of Buffalo. Sarah-Elizabeth L. Tierney filed suit in Erie County Supreme Court naming JP Contracting of WNY, LLC., 743 Main Street, LLC., and the city as defendants, accusing them of negligence and wrongful death.

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