Tag Archives: cancer

IAFF Sues NFPA Over Standard Mandating PFAS in PPE

The International Association of Firefighters has filed suit against the National Fire Protection Association claiming that portions of NFPA 1971 wrongfully impose requirements on structure fire turnout gear that, in essence, mandate the use of cancer-causing PFAS. The three-count complaint alleges civil conspiracy, violation of Massachusetts’ unfair and deceptive trade practices act, and negligence.

Bellingham WA Settles Suit With Firefighter’s Widow

The widow of a Bellingham firefighter has agreed to settle her lawsuit against the city for $750,000. Sheila Hanlon filed suit in 2021 claiming that the cancer death of her husband, Neil Carlberg, was work-related and qualifying for line-on-duty death benefits even though he was retired.

Court Rejects FDNY Widow’s Suit to Recover 9-11 Related Benefits

The widow of a retired FDNY firefighter who died of cancer in 2018 has failed in her suit to recover from the World Trade Center Volunteer Fund or workers compensation. Maria Fierro-Switzer filed suit arguing that despite being retired, her husband should be eligible since he volunteered to assist in recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

Idaho Supreme Court Upholds Cancer Presumption for Firefighters

The Supreme Court of Idaho has upheld the constitutionality of the state’s cancer presumption law for firefighters, in a challenge brought by a city contesting a firefighter’s right to workers’ comp benefits for leukemia. Captain Richard Nelson served as a firefighter in Pocatello

Indiana Court of Appeals Upholds Validity of Marriage of Dying Firefighter

The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the validity of a marriage between two firefighters, one of whom was dying of cancer. The case was brought by the Estate of Michael David Estridge seeking to annul his marriage to Lana Ann Taylor.

FDNY Firefighter Settles Suit Over 9-11 Related Cancer for $2.5 Million

An FDNY firefighter who developed 9-11 related cancer, has reached a $2.5 million settlement with the city. Brian Kevan, 53, worked for months at the World Trade Center site following 9-11. In 2019, Kevan was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Massachusetts Firefighters With Cancer Sue AFFF and PPE Manufacturers

Fifteen current and former Massachusetts firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer have filed suit against 25 defendants alleging they were exposed to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through their exposure to AFFF and to PFAS in their turnout gear. The firefighters are from five fire departments: Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Norwood, and Worcester.

Spouse of Deceased Connecticut Deputy Chief Sues Over Pension Benefits

The spouse of a well-known Connecticut firefighter who died from cancer in 2017, has filed suit claiming the city has failed to honor its pension commitments to her and her son. Lori Pepler filed the suit naming the City of Torrington, the police and fire pension board, and twelve members of the board.

Multiple Suits Allege Toxic Tort Against AFFF and PPE Manufacturers

Forty-four current and former California firefighters have filed suit against chemical companies and PPE manufacturers claiming that they were exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and their turnout gear.

Florida Firefighter Sues AFFF Manufacturers

A Florida firefighter has filed suit against a group of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) manufacturers contending that exposure to their products caused her breast cancer. Debbie Rittinghouse, who served with Broward County Fire Rescue from 1994 to 2018, filed suit against 17 current and former AFFF manufacturers.

Arizona Court of Appeals Denies Cancer Presumption to Flagstaff Firefighter With Cancer History

The Arizona Court of Appeals has denied a claim by a Flagstaff firefighter that his testicular cancer should be treated as a job-related illness under the state’s cancer presumption law. Wesley Forbach was diagnosed with left side testicular cancer in April 2018.

Suit Alleges AFFF Polluted Groundwater Causing Testicular Cancer

A man who grew up near a military base in Pennsylvania has filed suit against the nation’s largest firefighting foam manufacturers claiming he developed testicular cancer as a result of drinking groundwater contaminated by toxic components of AFFF.

First Suit Filed Over Florida’s Firefighter Cancer Presumption Law

A St. Petersburg fire lieutenant who was diagnosed with cancer last year, and who was denied coverage under Florida’s newly enacted cancer presumption law, has filed suit. Lt. Jason Francis filed suit against the city of St. Petersburg. He filed for benefits under Florida Statutes 112.1816 on July 1, 2019, which incidentally was the day the law went into effect.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Strong Cancer Presumption in Firefighters

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court handed down a decision last week upholding the cancer presumption act for firefighters by reversing a lower court ruling that would have gutted it. The decision required the court to reject the city’s position that would have made it harder for firefighters to establish the presumption and easier for cities to rebut it.

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