Tag Archives: Wilmington Fire Department

Fire Law Roundup for April 23, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for April 23, 2024, Curt reviews a $4.45 million settlement in an EMS restraint-related death in Sacramento; a race discrimination suit in New Jersey; the settlement of an overtime dispute between battalion chiefs ...

Wilmington Settles FLSA Overtime Suit with Battalion Chiefs for $459k

The City of Wilmington has agreed to settle an FLSA overtime suit brought last year by six current and former battalion chiefs for $459,695.36. The chiefs claim they were improperly classified as exempt executives.

Wilmington Firefighter Files Race and Religious Discrimination Suit

A Wilmington, Delaware firefighter has filed suit against the department and three chief officers alleging race and religious discrimination. Corey Ferrell filed suit earlier this month naming the City of Wilmington, Fire Chief John Looney, Deputy Chief John Hoban, and Battalion Chief Andre Cooper.

Court Blocks Wilmington’s Move From Four Shifts to Three

A Delaware court has overturned an interest arbitration ruling that would have allowed the City of Wilmington to implement a three-platoon schedule for its firefighters as opposed to the four platoon schedule they had been working.

Dismissal of Wilmington LODD Suit Upheld by Third Circuit

The 3rd Circuit has upheld the dismissal of a suit brought by the estates of three Wilmington firefighters who were killed and three others who were injured in a 2016 building fire. The fire claimed the lives of LT Christopher Leach, FF Ardythe Hope, and FF Jerry Fickes. FF Brad Speakman, FF Terrance Tate, and LT John Cawthray, were seriously injured during the rescue efforts.

Court Rules Whistleblower Protection Not Available For Non-City Claims

A whistleblower lawsuit brought by a Wilmington, Delaware firefighter who was terminated in 2016 has been dismissed by a Superior Court judge because the wrongdoing reported did not involve the city. Thomas Hayman, Jr. was fired by the Wilmington Fire Department in 2016.

Judge Tosses Wilmington LODD Suit

A federal judge in Delaware has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the families of three Wilmington firefighters who were killed and three other firefighters who were injured in a 2016 building fire. The September 24, 2016 fire claimed the lives of Lieutenant Christopher Leach, FF Ardythe Hope, and FF Jerry Fickes

Woman Sentenced in Wilmington LODD Fire

A woman who pled guilty to setting the fire that killed three Wilmington, Delaware firefighters, has been sentenced to thirty years in prison. Beatriz Fana-Ruiz was sentenced last week for the September 24, 2016 fire that killed Lt. Christopher Leach, FF Jerry Fickes, and FF Ardythe Hope.

Burning Question: Wilmington LODD Suit, Civil Rights Violation, and Deliberate Indifference

Today’s burning question: I saw your article on the Wilmington LODD lawsuit and do not understand why the families of the deceased firefighters would bother suing the city for a civil rights violation. Answer: Civil rights suits are viewed by some attorneys as a strategic “end around” the tort defenses that fire departments would typically raise in cases like this. Whether the strategy will actually work is another story.

Wilmington Brownout LODD Suit Filed

The long-awaited suit brought by three seriously injured Wilmington, Delaware firefighters along with the families of three firefighters who died in a building fire in 2016 was filed today in US District Court for the District of Delaware. The fire on September 24, 2016 claimed the lives of Lieutenant Christopher Leach, FF Ardythe Hope, and FF Jerry Fickes.

Wilmington Settles Reverse Discrimination Claims

The City of Wilmington has agreed to settle the claims of five white firefighters who allege they were the victims of reverse discrimination in the enforcement of the city’s residency rule. Jonathan Hitch, Stephen Sherlock, Adam Risden, James Grieco, and Thomas Cunningham, filed a complaint with the EEOC in 2016.