Tag Archives: Houston Fire Department

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 8, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss criminal charges brought against a Nashville firefighter for interfering with firefighting operations of another department while off-duty; the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a ...

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After years of labor management strife, Houston Firefighters are expressing optimism that the seeming endless legal battles they have endured can be finally be resolved with the inauguration of Mayor John Whitmire. Fox26 interviewed IAFF Local 341 President Patrick "Marty" Lancton who called Whitmore’s election a “win” for firefighters.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for December 29, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss an FMLA and disability suit filed by a terminated deputy chief in Georgia; a New Jersey firefighter charged criminally with a hate crime for showing ...

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A Houston firefighter assigned to the dispatch center as a Senior Communications Captain has filed suit claiming the city has failed to accommodate his sincerely held religious beliefs by requiring him to remain clean-shaven. Brandon E. O’Neal filed suit today in federal court naming the city, the Houston Fire Department and Fire Chief Samuel Pena as defendants.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for November 27, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a jury award of $250,000 to a former Houston firefighter against her former captain who shared an intimate video of her; a Minnesota city held ...

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A Harris County jury has awarded a former Houston firefighter $250,000 in damages against her former captain for unlawfully sharing a nude video of her. Melinda Abbt filed suit against Captain John Chris Barrientes and the city, alleging sexual harassment and violation of a Texas law titled “Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material.”

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The Fourteenth District Court of Appeals of Texas has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the driver of a car that was struck by a Houston engine that was backing up. Emmitt Wilson filed the suit in state court naming the city and firefighter Jason Carroll as defendants

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for June 6, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a suit filed by DC firefighter-EMTs alleging the city reneged on pension-related promises; a lawsuit against Houston firefighters over their role in the death of ...

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A mother whose son died after being tased and arrested by Houston police, has filed suit against the city, the officers involved in the apprehension, and five city firefighters. Meghan Sonnier Simms, the mother of Jermaine K. Sonnier, filed suit yesterday in US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 29, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a $31 Million verdict in the Kobe Bryant crash scene photo scandal in Los Angeles County; a ruling by the Wyoming Supreme Court upholding the ...

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The City of Houston has prevailed in a lawsuit brought by the family of an elderly woman who died after a stretcher tipped over. Elizabeth Dott, 94, died 8 days after she sustained head injuries from the fall in July, 2020.

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The Texas Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the City of Houston in a race discrimination suit brought by a probationary firefighter who was dismissed toward the end of his probationary period. Madison T. Garner filed suit contending his termination in 2016 was based upon his race, and that he was subjected to a racially hostile work environment.

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A Houston firefighter who was accused of making a racially disparaging remark about black women, and retaliated against when it was discovered he was married to black woman, has filed suit alleging race discrimination and discrimination on account of his interracial marriage. Nicholas Dahl filed suit against the city and Houston Professional Firefighters.

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The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated a sexual harassment suit brought against the Houston Fire Department by a female firefighter. Melinda Abbt brought the action in 2019 after discovering that male firefighters obtained a nude video of her, and watched it multiple times over a period of years.

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