Ohio Widow Appeals Dismissal of Wrongful Death Suit

An Ohio widow who blames the fire department for her husband’s death is appealing the dismissal of her wrongful death lawsuit.

Ronda Cushing claims the Sheffield Lake Fire Department failed to rescue her husband Tony, 62, following a vehicle accident and fire on October 2, 2010. Tony Cushing is believed to have blacked out while driving due to a medical condition. He crashed into a house trapping and injuring several occupants.  The house and the car caught fire and Tony perished before firefighters could extricate him.

Ronda’s lawsuit was dismissed by Lorain County Common Pleas Court last month. In a separate action, she also sued the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Clinic Heath System and Cleveland Clinic Health System Physician Organization for the wrongful death of her husband, claiming they should have restricted his driving privileges due to his known medical conditions.

Here is 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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