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

Tag Archives: missed DOA

Alabama Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal in Wrongful Death Case

The Supreme Court of Alabama has refused to consider an appeal of a wrongful death lawsuit, concluding that the trial court must first make a determination as to the liability of a firefighter before a final determination on the liability of a volunteer department and a county fire association can be decided.

Denver Firefighters Disciplined Over Mistaken DOA Pronouncement

Two Denver firefighter are facing lengthy suspensions for their roles in a botched death pronouncement of a woman who was still alive. The incident occurred on June 24, 2022, when Lieutenant Patrick Lopez and FF Marshal Henry responded with police on a welfare check.

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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