Paralyzed Firefighter Receives $10 Million Judgment From Firefighter-Arsonist

Posted by: Curt Varone April 12, 2011 0

A severely injured firefighter from Warrior Run Area Fire Department in Pennsylvania received a $10 million verdict last Friday against the arsonist who set the fire that caused the injury. The arsonist was also a firefighter.

Wayne E. Hawley Jr., 54, was paralyzed in 2007 while battling a fire that was set by former firefighter Chester A. Cyphers, 55. Cyphers is believed to have set as many as 60 fires between 2004 and 2008.

The case was tried before Judge Charles H. Saylor, who awarded Hawley $7.54 million, and $2.5 million to his wife.

The reality is that the Hawleys’ are unlikely to see any of the $10 million. Cyphers is serving a 12 to 25-year prison sentence at the State Correctional Institution, and will likely be in his 70s before he is released. He had been a firefighter in Washingtonville, PA.

More on the story.

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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