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Fire Law Roundup for May 26, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 26, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss the dismissal of a suit that sought to dissolve a a New York fire district; the dismissal of a disability discrimination lawsuit against a Washington state fire department; the dismissal of a First Amendment retaliation lawsuit brought against a California fire department; the dismissal of criminal charges against a Maryland medic who allegedly falsified a report; and a civil suit against an Iowa medic who administered the wrong medication to a patient resulting in the patient’s death. Judge Dismisses Attempt to Dissolve Fire District Judge…
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Judge Dismisses Attempt to Dissolve Fire District
A New York State Supreme Court judge has dismissed an effort by two residents to dissolve the Richland Fire District. The decision, handed down on May 22, 2025, cites numerous legal deficiencies in the dissolution petition filed by Crystal Myers and Timothy Thayer.
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Washington Court Upholds Dismissal of Fire Department Mechanic’s Disability Lawsuit
The Washington Court of Appeals has affirmed the dismissal of a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by a fire department mechanic against the City of Tacoma. The case centered on whether the City failed to accommodate Liam Riley’s medical conditions under the Washington Law Against Discrimination.
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Federal Court Dismisses First Amendment Retaliation Suit by Manhattan Beach Fire Officers
A federal judge has granted summary judgment to the City of Manhattan Beach, California, in a First Amendment retaliation case filed by two fire officers. Captains David Shenbaum and Timothy O’Brien sued alleging that they were subjected to retaliatory actions for their union activities and for filing a federal lawsuit against the city.
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Appellate Court Upholds Dismissal of Charges Against Annapolis Firefighter-Medic
The Appellate Court of Maryland has upheld the dismissal of criminal charges against an Annapolis firefighter who was accused of filing a false special incident report. Firefighter III/Paramedic Bridget Elizabeth Weiss was charged with one count of common law misdemeanor of misconduct in office stemming from an investigation into the death of a patient.
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Fire Law Roundup for May 19, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 19, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss five under-the-radar cases from last week, plus the approval of a settlement of an FLSA suit brought by Massachusetts firefighters; a discrimination case brought by a Pennsylvania firefighter; the $15 million settlement of a CalFire helicopter crash case; and a ruling in a discrimination suit out of New Orleans. Fire Law Weekend Headlines Fire Law Weekend Headlines Federal Court Approves Brookline FLSA Settlement with Firefighters Federal Court Approves Brookline FLSA Settlement with Firefighters Pennsylvania Firefighter Sues Fire Department Alleging Gender and Disability Discrimination Federal Court…
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Fire Law Weekend Headlines
As another week starts, we once again have several cases in the Fire Law headlines. Let’s start with another victory for our friend and colleague, Brad Pinsky.
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Federal Court Approves Brookline FLSA Settlement with Firefighters
The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has approved a settlement agreement between 118 Brookline firefighters and the Town of Brookline, resolving allegations that the town violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Massachusetts Wage Act by miscalculating overtime pay.
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Pennsylvania Firefighter Sues Fire Department Alleging Gender and Disability Discrimination
A female firefighter has filed suit in federal court against the Northampton Township Fire Department, alleging gender-based discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation following a romantic relationship with another firefighter that she claims turned abusive. Tracy Wilson filed suit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, alleging harassment, emotional abuse, and alleged inaction by department leadership. Wilson, who began working per diem for Northampton Township Fire Department in April 2022 and became full-time in February 2023, was reportedly the only female firefighter/EMT at the department at the time of her termination. According to the complaint, Wilson became…
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$15 Million Settlement Reached in Fatal Helicopter Crash During Wildfire Operations
The family of a helicopter pilot who died while assisting with wildfire suppression in California has reached a $15 million settlement with the company responsible for maintaining the aircraft. The incident occurred on August 19, 2020, when Michael Fournier, a contract pilot supporting Cal Fire operations, was killed in a crash while dropping water on the Hills Fire in Fresno County.
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Federal Court Denies New Orleans Fire Captain’s Request to Amend Race Discrimination Suit
A US Magistrate Judge has denied a New Orleans fire captain's request to amend his discrimination lawsuit against the city and the fire department’s superintendent. Captain Varrick Dyer, a 20-year veteran of the New Orleans Fire Department, filed suit in 2024 alleging race discrimination, retaliation, and conspiracy under Title VII, § 1981, 1983, and Louisiana law.
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Fire Law Roundup for May 12, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 12, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a $100 million suit brought against a utility following a gas explosion that killed a Virginia firefighter; a Louisiana ruling upholding the awarding of death benefits to the family of a deceased New Orleans firefighter; the settlement of a gender discrimination and retaliation suit; a LODD suit brought by a South Carolina firefighter’s family against a neighboring fire department; and the $9.5 million settlement of a sexual harassment suit in Canada. LODD Explosion Prompts $100 Million Suit Against Utility LODD Explosion Prompts $100 Million Suit…
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LODD Explosion Prompts $100 Million Suit Against Utility
The victims of a massive propane explosion in Virginia that killed one firefighter and injured several others have filed a $100 million lawsuit against a utility they claim is responsible for their injuries. The February 16, 2024 incident occurred in Sterling and claimed the life of Loudoun County firefighter Trevor Brown.
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