Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

The Santa Monica Fire Department is being sued for malpractice for the care provided to a man injured in a fall last year. Baldev Devgan and Manju Devgan filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging Santa Monica firefighters failed to take proper spinal precautions following Baldev’s fall.

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A California firefighter who was dismissed from two different fire departments, has filed suit against one of the departments and three of its officers. Shelly White filed suit against the Rough & Ready Fire Protection District, Fire Chief Robert Vaughn, Captain Matt Wright, and Lieutenant David Hicks alleging sexual harassment and discrimination.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 15, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a suit seeking compensation for fire academy recruits in the Los Angeles County Fire Department who were quarantined in a hotel during the COVID19 pandemic; ...

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The Los Angeles County Fire Department is facing a class action lawsuit that seeks compensation for fire academy attendees who were quarantined in hotels while not in class during the COVID19 pandemic. The suit was brought by a John Doe plaintiff alleging an overtime violation under the Fair Labor Standards Act and breach of contract under state law.

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Two families who lost their homes in separate fires after firefighters were unable to get water from area fire hydrants, have filed separate lawsuits against the local water authority and township. The suits claim the defendants were aware of the problems with the hydrant system but failed to rectify the situation.

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The San Jose Mercury News has filed suit against the City of San Jose seeking to obtain records related to the fire department investigation into the Pink Poodle strip club incident and the reported discipline of members involved. The suit was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court pursuant to the state’s public records law.

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The City of Omaha has agreed to settle a race and gender discrimination suit brought in 2021 by a firefighter for $275,000. Jane Crudup claims she was harassed and discriminated starting shortly after she was hired in 2019.

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A Los Angeles County jury has awarded a former fire chief $4.1 million in damages for wrongful termination and an assortment of employment related counts. Former West Covina fire chief Larry Whithorn claimed he was terminated after a lengthy campaign by a handful of local officials.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 8, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a suit brought by a woman who was injured in an altercation with an on-duty Sparks, Nevada firefighter; a race discrimination suit brought by a ...

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A woman who was injured in an altercation with a Sparks firefighter has filed suit alleging battery and excessive force. Maureen Hvegholm filed suit against Timothy Egan in Washoe County District Court. The incident occurred last December and was captured on surveillance video.

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A lieutenant with the Baltimore City Fire Department has filed a race discrimination suit claiming he was subjected to unfounded disciplinary investigations and retaliation. Mitchell Waters filed suit today in US District Court for the District of Maryland.

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The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a district court decision holding that the Memphis Fire Department did not discriminate against an African American female who sought a position as an "Airmask Maintenance Mechanic." Bridgette Franklin filed suit in 2019 claiming she was denied the position, and it was given to a less qualified Caucasian male firefighter.

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New York’s Fox5 interviewed three FDNY chiefs about the two lawsuits they filed against the city and Commissioner Laura Kavanagh earlier this year. The suits allege retaliation, age discrimination and violations of due process.

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A firefighter with the CalFire has filed suit claiming he was subjected to harassment and retaliation by a supervisor, culminating is his being demoted from captain to firefighter II. Ken Meyers filed suit in Santa Clara County Superior Court naming CalFire and Battalion Chief Tim Main as defendants.

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