Tag Archives: Houston Fire Department

Fire Law Roundup for August 12, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 12, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss discipline to ten Cleveland firefighters over questions about working for a second department while schedule to work in Cleveland; an appellate court ruling that Houston ...

Read More »

Houston Not Liable for Take-Home Car Accident

The 14th District Court of Appeals of Texas has concluded that the City of Houston is not liable for damages arising out of an accident involving a fire investigator’s take-home vehicle. Lorraine Sanchez filed suit against the city following an accident where a fire department SUV rear-ended her vehicle while entering the ramp to I-45.

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for June 24, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for June 24, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a New York EMT sentenced for falsifying a court transcript; the dismissal of a contentious conspiracy case out of the Latrobe, PA Fire Department; a ...

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for January 8, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 8, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss criminal charges brought against a Nashville firefighter for interfering with firefighting operations of another department while off-duty; the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a ...

Read More »

New Houston Mayor Raises Firefighters’ Optimism

After years of labor management strife, Houston Firefighters are expressing optimism that the seeming endless legal battles they have endured can be finally be resolved with the inauguration of Mayor John Whitmire. Fox26 interviewed IAFF Local 341 President Patrick "Marty" Lancton who called Whitmore’s election a “win” for firefighters.

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for December 29, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for December 29, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss an FMLA and disability suit filed by a terminated deputy chief in Georgia; a New Jersey firefighter charged criminally with a hate crime for showing ...

Read More »

Houston Firefighter-Dispatcher Challenges No-Beard Rule on Religious Grounds

A Houston firefighter assigned to the dispatch center as a Senior Communications Captain has filed suit claiming the city has failed to accommodate his sincerely held religious beliefs by requiring him to remain clean-shaven. Brandon E. O’Neal filed suit today in federal court naming the city, the Houston Fire Department and Fire Chief Samuel Pena as defendants.

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for November 27, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for November 27, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a jury award of $250,000 to a former Houston firefighter against her former captain who shared an intimate video of her; a Minnesota city held ...

Read More »

Jury Awards Former Houston Firefighter $250k Over Nude Video

A Harris County jury has awarded a former Houston firefighter $250,000 in damages against her former captain for unlawfully sharing a nude video of her. Melinda Abbt filed suit against Captain John Chris Barrientes and the city, alleging sexual harassment and violation of a Texas law titled “Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material.”

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for June 5, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for June 6, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a suit filed by DC firefighter-EMTs alleging the city reneged on pension-related promises; a lawsuit against Houston firefighters over their role in the death of ...

Read More »

Mother Sues Houston Police and Firefighters Over Son’s Death

A mother whose son died after being tased and arrested by Houston police, has filed suit against the city, the officers involved in the apprehension, and five city firefighters. Meghan Sonnier Simms, the mother of Jermaine K. Sonnier, filed suit yesterday in US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for August 29, 2022

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 29, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a $31 Million verdict in the Kobe Bryant crash scene photo scandal in Los Angeles County; a ruling by the Wyoming Supreme Court upholding the ...

Read More »