Firefighter’s Widow Sues Fire Department Over Cancer Death

Posted by: Curt Varone April 29, 2015 0

The widow of a Washington state firefighter who died of cancer in 2013 has filed suit against the city claiming her husband had knowingly been exposed to radon in his fire station.

Wendy Ann Murray filed suit against the City of Vancouver in Clark County Superior Court last week claiming that her husband, Carl, had been “negligently, recklessly and outrageously” exposed to radon.

The suit alleges that the city knew a radon problem existed and failed to comply with state’s Industrial Safety and Health Act (state OSHA) or even its own health and safety requirements. The levels were reportedly the highest in the basement of the fire station where Murray was assigned and where he worked out.

The suit seeks damages for wrongful death and loss of consortium. We are hoping to obtain a copy of the complaint.

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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