$15 Million Settlement Reached in Fatal Helicopter Crash During Wildfire Operations

The family of a helicopter pilot who died while assisting with wildfire suppression in California has reached a $15 million settlement with the company responsible for maintaining the aircraft. The incident occurred on August 19, 2020, when Michael Fournier, a contract pilot supporting Cal Fire operations, was killed in a crash while dropping water on the Hills Fire in Fresno County.

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Fire Law Roundup for May 12, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 12, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a $100 million suit brought against a utility following a gas explosion that killed a Virginia firefighter; a Louisiana ruling upholding the awarding of death ...

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LODD Explosion Prompts $100 Million Suit Against Utility

The victims of a massive propane explosion in Virginia that killed one firefighter and injured several others have filed a $100 million lawsuit against a utility they claim is responsible for their injuries. The February 16, 2024 incident occurred in Sterling and claimed the life of Loudoun County firefighter Trevor Brown.

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Court Upholds Workers’ Comp Claim in Firefighter Pneumonia Death

The Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal has affirmed a workers’ compensation ruling in favor of the family of a New Orleans firefighter who died from acute respiratory distress syndrome while attending training out of state. Captain Troy Magee, a 13 year veteran hazmat technician/firefighter, became critically ill during a week-long training course in New Mexico in October 2014.

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Fire Law Roundup for May 5, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 5, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss the indictment of an Ohio chief on charges he illegally recorded employee conversations; a suit brought by a retired  FDNY firefighter alleging that the city ...

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Ohio Chief Indicted For Illegal Recordings

An Ohio fire chief who was terminated earlier this year, has been indicted on charges that he secretly recorded private conversations of employees. Brandon Montgomery was the fire chief in Mingo Junction from 2020 til February 14, 2025.

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Retired FDNY Firefighter Alleges Military Discrimination

A retired FDNY firefighter has filed suit seeking $2 million, claiming that the city failed to properly calculate his pension because it failed to include an amount attributable to overtime he missed while on military leave. Raymond Negron filed suit today in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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