FDNY Whacked with Two $20 Million Wrongful Death Suits

Posted by: Curt Varone January 25, 2011 0

December 27, 2010 was a tough day for many New Yorkers. A devastating blizzard, unplowed streets, traffic gridlock, a back log of EMS calls 1300 incidents long… then the prompt removal of the Chief of EMS… and now two $20 million dollar lawsuits filed by the same attorney on behalf of two different families who lost loved ones.

Attorney Sanford Rubenstein represents Robert Davis, the widower of Claire Reed who died of heart attack on December 27, 2010 after waiting more than 90 minutes for an ambulance, and Laura Freeman, daughter of Yvonne Freeman who similarly died of a heart attack the same day after a 45 minute delay.

AOL News quoted Rubenstein as saying "The negligence of the sanitation, transportation and first responders departments caused this tragedy… The failure to declare a snow emergency was inexcusable as was the breakdown of the 911 system."

Rubenstein echoed a sentiment we hear again and again following a major incident: “one of the main goals after a tragedy like this is to try to get change, so what happened here doesn't happen again."

More on the story.

NY1 Video Coverage.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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