Insurer Sues Over Apparatus Fire

A lawsuit has been filed by an insurer over a fire that destroyed a West Virginia fire truck in 2019. The Arch Insurance Co. filed suit this month against Shaffer Ford and Ford Motor Company for the destruction of a 2004 Ford F-Super Duty 550 owned by the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department.

Shaffer serviced the vehicle on March 15, 2019. Shortly after it returned to service, it caught fire and was a total loss. At the time the vehicle went in for service it had less than 10,000 miles on it. Arch paid the Aurora VFD under its policy, and is suing under its right of subrogation.

The suit alleges breach of contract, negligence, negligent misrepresentation/fraud and breach of warranties against Shaffer Ford Sales Inc., and negligent design/manufacture, negligent misrepresentation/fraud, strict liability and breach of warranty against Ford.

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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