Illinois Cities Suing Pierce Over Warranty Claims

The City of Charleston, Illinois is joining six other municipalities in filing a class action lawsuit against Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. over a breach of warranty claim on fire apparatus.

The lawsuit alleges that Pierce and Global Fire Equipment Inc. granted a lifetime warranty on the frames of its fire trucks for rust and corrosion damage. The cities of Charleston, Champaign, Decatur, Normal, Bloomington, Peoria and Ottawa claim that their Pierce apparatus have rust and corrosion damage, but that Pierce is refusing to repair or replace the frames. The law firm of Ancel Glink is handling the case for the municipalities.

The Journal Gazette & Times Courier quoted Charleston Assistant Chief Tim Meister as saying:

  • Pierce Manufacturing is not holding up their side of the warranty.
  • There are multiple cities that have purchased these, same manufacturer, same years we have, and they are having the same issues.

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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