Baltimore LODD Suit Refiled in State Court

The families of three Baltimore firefighters who died in a 2022 building fire, along with another firefighter who was seriously injured in the same fire, have refiled their suit against the city in state court. The January 24, 2022 fire on Stricker street claimed the lives of Lieutenant Paul Butrim, FF Kenneth Lacayo, and FF Kelsey Sadler, and seriously injured FF John McMaster.

Last year FF McMaster and the families of Lieutenant Paul Butrim, FF Kenneth Lacayo, and FF Kelsey Sadler, filed suit in federal court alleging that the city’s failures were so egregious that it constituted a violation of their civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 under a Monell – state created danger theory. That case was dismissed less than 30-days ago.

The new suit filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court alleges the identical factual allegations, includes a federal civil rights claim, but adds state law negligence and wrongful death counts. A copy of the new complaint is provided below the new video:

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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