Tag Archives: cancer

Fire Law Roundup for April 15, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for April 15, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a pink collar theft case out of North Carolina; a $1.5 billion PFAS-related lawsuit filed in Virginia by firefighters with cancer; a due process ruling ...

Virginia Firefighters Seek $1.5 Billion from PFAS Companies

Six Virginia firefighters and the estate of a deceased firefighter have filed suit against 25 companies associated with per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) seeking $1.5 Billion in damages. The named lead plaintiff in the action is Sara P. Chiaverotti, wife of Virginia Beach Fire Captain Matthew Chiaverotti who died from anaplastic thyroid cancer last year.

Missouri Firefighter Claims Disability and Age Discrimination

A Missouri firefighter who was terminated after being on disability leave for two years, has filed suit claiming disability and age-discrimination. David Horning filed suit against the Central County Fire and Rescue District, its fire chief and the chairman of the district’s board of directors.

Fire Law Roundup for April 3, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for April 3, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the brother of a man whose body was used for intubation practice by a Washington state fire department; ...

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.

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