Tag Archives: Seattle Fire Department

Fire Law Roundup for October 9, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for October 9, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss criminal charges against volunteer firefighters in two states for setting multiple fires; a court ruling dismissing FDNY from an EMS-related suit for wrongful death; the ...

Seattle Settles Wrongful Death Suit for $1.8 Million

The family of a Seattle man who died after firefighters mistakenly staged waiting for police, has agreed to settle their $10 million wrongful death suit for $1.8 million. William Yurek died on November 2, 2021 following 911 calls reporting that he was experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing.

Fire Law Roundup for March 6, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 6, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a volunteer theft case out of North Carolina; a Louisiana Court of Appeals ruling on cancer presumptions for firefighters; a Ninth Circuit decision holding the ...

Ninth Circuit Rules Seattle Not Liable for CHOP Zone Death

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the City of Seattle is not liable to the mother of a 19-year-old special needs man who was shot and killed in the CHOP zone in 2020. Donnitta Sinclair claimed the city’s conduct caused the death of her son, Horace Lorenzo Anderson, Jr.

Fire Law Roundup for January 16, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 16, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a decision by the Supreme Court of Washington that the public duty doctrine, only applies to statutorily created duties, not common law duties; a decision ...

Washington Supreme Court Concludes Public Duty Doctrine Limited to Statutory Duties

The Supreme Court of Washington has ruled that the public duty doctrine, one of the fire service’s most important defenses to negligence claims, only applies to statutorily created duties, not common law duties. The ruling came in a suit case brought against the Seattle Fire Department alleging firefighters responded to the wrong address.

Washington Court Holds Public Duty Rule Does Not Protect Seattle Medics Who Went to Wrong Address

The Court of Appeals of Washington has ruled that the public duty doctrine offers no liability protection to Seattle firefighters who responded to the wrong address for a cardiac arrest. The case involved a suit brought by Delaura and Fred Norg after Fred suffered a heart attack in 2017.

Mother of CHOP Shooting Victim Sues Seattle

The mother of a 19-year-old special needs man who was shot in the Seattle CHOP zone last summer, has filed suit against the city of Seattle claiming that medics failure to come to his aid led to his death. Donnitta Sinclair filed suit last week in federal court claiming the intentional and negligent conduct of the city caused the death of her son, Horace Lorenzo Anderson, Jr.

Seattle Settles Ambulance Crash for $65.7 Million

The City of Seattle has settled an apparatus accident case with a catastrophically injured attorney for a whopping $65.7 million. The accident occurred on April 24, 2016 when a Seattle Fire Department ambulance proceeded through a red light without stopping, and collided with a Porsche 911 driven by attorney Brooke Taylor.

Seattle Firefighter Sues Over Blast Injuries

A Seattle firefighter injured last year in a gas explosion is suing the gas company and two contractors that he claims are responsible for the blast. Jeff Markoff filed suit against Puget Sound Energy, Pilchuck Contractors, and Michels Corporation, accusing them of “egregious neglect, recklessness, and the disregard for public safety.”

California Defense Attorney Plans to Put FD on Trial in Arson Case… NOT SO FAST!!!!

Today’s burning question: can an attorney defending someone charged with aggravated arson for setting a fire that severely injures a firefighter, use the carelessness of the firefighter and the fire department as mitigating factors? Answer: These defenses have been largely UNSUCCESSFUL.

Jury Acquits In Seattle Firefighter Memorial Assault Case

The two former Seattle firefighters who were accused of assaulting several homeless men in March have been acquitted by a jury. Robert Howell and Scott Bullene were accused of assaulting several homeless persons who were hanging around the Seattle Fire Department’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial ...

Seattle Fire Settles Hearing Loss Claim for $495k

The City of Seattle has agreed to settle a suit filed by a firefighter who claims his captain permanently damaged his hearing by blowing the siren when he was close by it. Firefighter Rodney Bingham filed suit against the city ...

Seattle Fire Dragged Into Drowning Suit

The Seattle Fire Department has been dragged into an unfortunate wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who drown in a hotel swimming pool last summer. Tesfaye Girma Deboch died on June 30, 2013 while swimming in ...

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