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

Tag Archives: firefighter struck

NY Firefighter Struck By Motorist Prevails

A New York Supreme Court judge has found that a driver who struck a firefighter directing traffic at the scene of a vehicle accident, is liable to the firefighter and his wife for his injuries. Kyle J. Pierce, a volunteer firefighter with the Sherburne Fire Department, was directing traffic at an accident scene on November 15, 2016 when he was struck by a vehicle operated by Thomas O. Bigelow.

Washington Court of Appeals Upholds Fireman’s Rule

The Washington State Court of Appeals handed down a decision last month reaffirming the application of the Fireman’s Rule as a prohibition against suits by emergency responders in the state of Washington. The suit was filed by a firefighter, Wynn Loiland, who was struck by a vehicle while at the scene of a previous accident. At the time the roads were slippery and several accidents had previously occurred in addition to the original accident.

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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