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California Court Upholds $4.1 Million Jury Verdict for Fire Chief Fired After Medical Leave
In a decision handed down today, the California Court of Appeals affirmed a jury verdict awarding over $4.1 million in damages to former West Covina Fire Chief Larry Whithorn, who was terminated following a prolonged medical leave.
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Florida Court Upholds Fire District’s Vacation Rental Assessment
A Florida circuit court has ruled in favor of the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District in a legal challenge brought by a short-term rental property owner over higher fire assessment rates for vacation rentals.
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Fire Law Roundup for July 7, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 7, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a reverse discrimination lawsuit filed by a Hamden, Connecticut fire lieutenant; a ruling that the City of Chicago violated the ADA by rejecting a candidate with mental health issues; a lawsuit in RI seeking a judicial determination that a terminated firefighter union official should not be rehired; a defamation claim brought by the City of Columbia, SC, against a local fire district arising out of a LODD suit; and an FLSA suit brought against a fire department in Texas. Connecticut Firefighter Sues Department Alleging Reverse…
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Connecticut Firefighter Sues Department Alleging Reverse Discrimination in Promotions
A former lieutenant with the Hamden Fire Department has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Town of Hamden, alleging he was denied a promotion due to his race. The suit, claims that the Town violated the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act when it failed to promote him to Fire Captain in January 2023.
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Court Rules in Favor of Chicago Fire Applicant Denied Employment Due to Mental Health History
A federal district court judge has ruled the City of Chicago violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) when it withdrew an offer of employment to a firefighter/EMT based on his mental health history.
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RI Airport Sues to Block Reinstatement of Fired Fire Officer
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) has filed a declaratory judgment action seeking to prevent the reinstatement of a union president and former Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting lieutenant, citing a post-termination security breach and its federally mandated authority over secure airport access.
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Columbia Accuses Irmo Fire District of Defamation in LODD Case
The City of Columbia has denied allegations contained in a wrongful death lawsuit that it was responsible for the death of an Irmo firefighter, and what’s more, countered them with serious allegations of its own. In addition, the city has filed a Third-Party Complaint against the Irmo Fire District, accusing it of defamation.
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Texas Fire Department Faces FLSA Lawsuit Over Overtime
A former Texas firefighter has filed suit claiming his former employer failed to pay overtime in accordance with federal law and wrongly claimed the special FLSA exemption available to public agency fire departments under 29 U.S.C. § 207(k).
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Fire Law Roundup for June 30, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for June 30, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a Hawaii decision that placing firefighters on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation is not disciplinary; the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a former Deputy Fire Marshal with the Raleigh Fire Department alleging discrimination because she was denied a request to work from home to breastfeed her newborn child; a lawsuit by a man alleging harassment by LAFD helicopters flying low over his house; a wrongful death lawsuit alleging a civilian fire equipment maintenance person was exposed to carcinogens; and…
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Hawaii Court Affirms That Paid Leave Pending Investigation is Not Discipline
The Intermediate Court of Appeals of Hawaii has concluded that the placement of firefighters on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation is not disciplinary.
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Federal Court Dismisses Pregnancy Discrimination Suit by Former NC Deputy Fire Marshal
A federal district court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former Deputy Fire Marshal with the Raleigh Fire Department who alleged she was constructively discharged following the City's denial of her request to work from home to breastfeed her newborn child.
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Civilian Fire Department Worker’s Family Sues LA County Over Fatal Cancer Exposure
A wrongful death lawsuit filed in LA County Superior Court accuses the LA County Fire Department of exposing a longtime civilian employee to fatal levels of carcinogens without proper protective equipment or safety protocols. The suit was filed by the family of Michael Potechin, a 54-year-old Equipment Maintenance Supervisor who died of lung cancer in May 2024.
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