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

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 27, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss the refiling of a LODD suit against Baltimore; a suit by Louisville firefighters claiming the city reneged on an agreement with regard to medical marijuana ...

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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.

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Louisville firefighters have filed suit claiming Metro Government has reneged on an agreement to protect rank-and-file members who lawfully use marijuana from discipline. Louisville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 54 and vice president, Dennis Eggen, filed the action in Jefferson County Circuit Court last week.

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A battalion chief with the San Antonio Fire Department has filed suit claiming that city has failed to comply with an EEOC Conciliation Agreement related to medical examinations and retaliated against him for his role in filing complaints with the EEOC. Battalion Chief Brian McEnery filed suit today in US District Court.

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A medic formerly with the Sioux City Fire and Rescue is facing manslaughter charges following the death of a patient. Deanna LaMere, 46, is charged with a single count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of James Foster Jr., 26.

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Three Colorado firefighters have filed a class action lawsuit claiming their department has refused to pay them overtime in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Hunter Richardson, Alec Coscarella, and Jennifer Anderson filed suit today against the Rye Fire Protection District.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 20, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a whistleblower suit brought by a terminated LAFD chief; a suit by a New Mexico firefighter alleging discrimination and whistleblower retaliation; a Virginia court holding ...

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A former high-ranking civilian employee of the Los Angeles City Fire Department has filed suit claiming she was retaliated against and ultimately terminated for reporting misconduct by the department’s two highest-ranking chiefs. Jenny Park served the LAFD in a position known as Fire Administrator.

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A Bridgeport, Connecticut man is threatening to file suit against firefighters because they opened the glove box in his car in the aftermath of a vehicle accident. Tony Barr contends that firefighters violated his constitutional rights following the accident last weekend.

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The widow of a Norfolk Fire Department captain who died in 2019, has lost her appeal to the Virginia Court of Appeals to have his death treated as a compensable occupational disease. Norma Hughes appealed the ruling of the Virginia Workers' Comp Commission concluding that the medical evidence did not establish that Captain David Hughes died of lung cancer.

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A former fire chief is facing criminal charges for having forged his credentials to operate the fire department’s drone. Michael J. Leonelli was arrested by New York State Police following an investigation that included the FAA and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Transportation.

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A New Mexico firefighter who was terminated last year has filed suit alleging gender discrimination and whistleblower retaliation. Deidre Maurino filed suit against Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue, the fire chief, the Human Resource director, and two officers of the department.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 13, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a jury verdict that the city of Mobile did not wrongfully terminate or retaliate against a fire captain who was dismissed in 2022; the arrest ...

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An Alabama jury has found that the city of Mobile did not wrongfully terminate or retaliate against a fire captain who was dismissed in 2022. Captain Rodrick Shoots was terminated and another captain, Jason Craig, was disciplined following the termination ...

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