Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The City of Bellingham, Washington has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the widow of a man whose body was used by firefighters to practice their intubation skills. Jai Ginn filed suit in federal court suit against the city, eleven firefighters, and Whatcom County’s medical program director, Marvin Wayne, alleging a due process violation and tortious interference with a dead body.
Firefighters admitted using the body of Bradley Ginn Sr. for intubation training on July 31, 2018, while at a Bellingham fire station awaiting delivery to a funeral home. The parties have agreed to settle the matter for $175,000.
Ginn’s suit was one of two suits filed over the incident. The other suit was filed by Bradley Ginn Sr.’s brother, Robert Fox. That suit is pending before the Washington Supreme Court on the issue of whether Fox has standing to use. Ginn’s son and daughter previously accepted settlements of $75,000 each.
