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

Tag Archives: assisting police

Court Dismisses OKC Firefighters From Civil Rights Suit by Family of Patient Who Died

The US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma has dismissed claims against four Oklahoma City firefighters who were accused of violating a patient’s civil rights by restraining him in 2019. Charles Lamar Vanlandingham died after being restrained by first responders, including firefighters.

Area of Liability Concern for Fire Departments: Assisting Police

Tonight I was going through the most recent court decisions available through my Lexis subscription, and after the fourth one realized there were striking similarities that go beyond the fact a fire department was mentioned in each. Each case was a lawsuit brought by someone who had been arrested by the police.

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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