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New Mexico Firefighters Sue Gas Company for Massive Explosion
Todays burning question: Can firefighters who are injured in a gas explosion sue the gas company, or is suit barred by the Fireman’s Rule? Firefighters who responded to a massive gas pipeline explosion near Carlsbad, NM, in 2000 have been cleared by the New Mexico Supreme Court to proceed to trial against the gas company who is alleged to have improperly maintained the pipeline. The case was originally decided against the firefighters based upon the Firemen’s Rule (see Legal Considerations or Fire Officer’s Legal Handbook, Chapter 8). However, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the suit could proceed. Click…
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Seattle ordered to pay $12.75 million to firefighter injured in sliding pole accident
A King County, Washington jury ordered the City of Seattle yesterday to pay $12.75 million to a former firefighter who was injured in an unusual sliding pole injury. Click here for article. The injury occurred in 2003, under apparently similar circumstances to a previous incident in 1976. A firefighter not normally assigned to the station, left a darkened dormitory in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, mistook the door to the pole for the door to the bathroom, and fell approximately 15 feet suffering severe injuries. Often cases such as this are barred by a number of…
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Welcome to Fire Law
It seems like hardly a day goes by without some new headline reminding us that fire and emergency responders are involved in a dangerous profession that frequently leads to some sort of legal activity. This blog will provide a place where those headlines and cases will be complied – and when ever possible some commentary provided. I hope you enjoy. I hope you learn. I hope you will engage in discussions by commenting.
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