Michigan Fire Department Immune from Liability in Blocking Accident

The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that a fire department that uses apparatus to block traffic at an accident scene, is entitled to governmental immunity in the event that an errant driver strikes the vehicle. The decision reverses a trial court ruling that held that the motor-vehicle exception to governmental immunity applied to potentially expose the department to liability.

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Columbus Firefighters sue City Over Data Breach

Columbus Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 67 and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of their members following a ransomware cyberattack on the city’s information technology. The attack is believed to have occurred on July 18, 2024, and resulted in the theft of the employees’ personal and confidential information.

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Fifth Circuit Upholds Termination of Louisiana Couple from Fire Department

The US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the appeal of two former employees of the St. George Fire Protection District who claimed they were discriminated against and forced out of the department over their romantic relationship. Stacie Dellucky and Frank Dellucky filed suit against the district and the fire chief alleging civil rights violations.

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Who is Liable for Damages That Occur on Mutual Aid Responses in New York?

The New York Supreme Court for Dutchess County has ruled that a fire department that requests aid from a neighboring community is responsible to compensate that assisting department for damage that occurs to their apparatus, even though the apparatus has been released from the incident, and even though the damage was solely the result of negligence by its driver.

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LAFD Captain Claims Reverse Discrimination

A fire captain with the Los Angeles City Fire Department has filed suit alleging he was harassed, retaliated against, and ultimately transferred after reporting an arson investigator for having left an unsecured firearm in an unlocked vehicle. Captain Brandon Taulli claims that the investigator’s race and gender played a central role in what he characterizes as an “adverse employment action.”

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Fire Law Roundup for August 19, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 19, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a LAFD firefighter who claims he was defamed and discriminated against after he was falsely accused of sexually ...

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Appellate Court Rejects Suit By Falsely Accused LAFD Medic

The CA Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a LAFD firefighter who claims he was defamed and discriminated against after he was falsely accused of sexually assaulting a patient. Louis Cerda claimed that the department’s handling of a female patient’s accusations damaged his reputation and subjected him to adverse employment action.

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Hartford Prevails in Discrimination Suit

The US District Court for the District of Connecticut has dismissed a suit filed by a Hispanic fire captain with the Hartford fire Department who claims he was discriminated against by African American officers.

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Fire Law Roundup for August 12, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 12, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss discipline to ten Cleveland firefighters over questions about working for a second department while schedule to work in Cleveland; an appellate court ruling that Houston ...

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Cleveland Firefighters Disciplined Over Second Job Conflict

Ten Cleveland firefighters are facing disciplinary charges after it was discovered they were working second jobs while scheduled to work in Cleveland. The investigation began after the I-Team from Fox8 revealed that Cleveland firefighters were being paid to work in the Village of Woodmere for the same hours they were being paid to work in Cleveland.

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Houston Not Liable for Take-Home Car Accident

The 14th District Court of Appeals of Texas has concluded that the City of Houston is not liable for damages arising out of an accident involving a fire investigator’s take-home vehicle. Lorraine Sanchez filed suit against the city following an accident where a fire department SUV rear-ended her vehicle while entering the ramp to I-45.

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