Fire Law Roundup for April 15, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for April 15, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a pink collar theft case out of North Carolina; a $1.5 billion PFAS-related lawsuit filed in Virginia by firefighters with cancer; a due process ruling ...

Class Action Lawsuit Blames Utilities for Deadly Maui Wildfire

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Maui Electric Company, Limited, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. alleging they bear responsibility for the tragic Lahaina Fire on the Island of Maui. At present at fire has claimed at least 99 lives, destroyed 2700 buildings, burned over 2,000 acres and caused damages estimated at over $5 billion.

Oakland Settles Claims from Ghost Ship Fire for $32.7 Million

The City of Oakland has agreed to pay $32.7 million to settle a mass tort suit arising out of the Ghost Ship Fire. The December 2, 2016 fire in a converted warehouse claimed the lives of 36 concert-goers and injured scores of others. The lawsuit alleged that city officials were aware of fire and building code deficiencies in the warehouse but failed to address the problems.

Evacuate or Shelter in Place for Fire Alarms

Today’s burning question: We have a retirement community in our district and we recently became aware that the property managers have been advising residents to remain in their apartments during fire alarms. Their philosophy is to “shelter in place” in the event of a fire. Is this wise?

More Hearing Loss Claims in NY, NJ, Philly Areas

Yesterday we discussed a lawsuit filed by 34 New Jersey firefighters over hearing loss. WPIX TV Channel 11 in New York is reporting that there are actually more than 4,000 firefighters in the New York-New Jersey-Philadelphia area suing Federal Signal and apparatus manufacturers over siren related hearing loss.

NJ Hearing Loss Case Removed to Federal Court

A hearing loss case filed earlier this year by 34 New Jersey firefighters has been removed from state Superior Court to US District Court at the request of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. The case was brought by the firefighters against American Lafrance, Federal Signal, Kovatch Mobile Equipment, Mack Trucks, Inc., Pierce, and Seagrave Fire Apparatus claiming the defendants are responsible for their hearing loss as a result of repeated exposure to siren noise.

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone