Tag Archives: slow response

Fire Law Roundup for August 21, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 21, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a the dismissal of an age-discrimination suit brought by a 46-year old Maryland firefighter recruit; a $20 million suit brought by a terminated fire chief ...

Four NY Fire Departments Not Liable For Housefire

The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court has ruled that four fire departments sued by a homeowner after a fire cannot be held liable for negligence because they did not owe the homeowner a special duty. Franciszek C. Kulon filed suit against the Neversink Fire Department, Liberty Fire District, Loch Sheldrake Fire Department, and Grahamsville Volunteer Fire Department claiming they were negligent when they responded to a fire in his home.

Florida Suit Alleges Slow-Understaffed Response Led to Death

The estate of a man who died on Little Gasparilla Island in 2019 has filed suit against the Little Gasparilla Island Fire and Rescue and Charlotte County alleging negligence and wrongful death. Jaimee Thompson filed suit in Charlotte County Circuit Court on behalf of the estate of her deceased husband, Craig Thompson.

Court Rules Baltimore County EMS Not Liable for Patient’s Death

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that neither Baltimore County nor an EMS crew could be held liable for the death of a patient in 2015. Baltimore County Fire Department Paramedic Nicole Nappi and EMT Traci Jackson were sued by the family of Ceontay Coit, who died on December 11, 2015.

Suit Over Dispatch Errors To Fatal Fire Remanded Back To State Court

A wrongful death civil rights lawsuit filed by the estate of a man killed in a fire, has been dismissed from federal court and remanded back to state court. John Lew Brown died in a house fire in his mobile home in Ferry County, Washington, on July 26, 2016.

Fatal Fire Prompts Suit Against Illinois Fire Department

A volunteer fire department in Illinois is being sued over a fatal fire where firefighters were allegedly slow to respond and the department did not request mutual aid from a career fire department that was actually closer to the scene. The Village of Bartonsville is being sued by the estate of a four-year-old child who died in a house fire on July 17, 2018.

Illinois Abandons Public Duty Doctrine in Fire Department Case

In a split decision in a case involving a fire department, the Illinois Supreme court has taken the drastic step of abolishing the public duty doctrine in Illinois. The case involved a 911 call for a medical emergency that, for a variety of Murphy’s Law-type reasons, resulted in a 41-minute delay in accessing the patient

Retirement of DC Lieutenant Raises Question of Pension Following Dishonorable Service

Today’s burning question: Can a firefighter who is facing disciplinary action, avoid facing any punishment for his misconduct by quickly retiring before he can be terminated? Answer: An employee can resign at any time and there is nothing an employer can do to stop a separation of service from occurring. However, the employee’s entitlement to a pension is another story. A pension can be conditioned on honorable service.

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