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Texas Fire Department Facing Another Lawsuit
A Texas fire department that has been in the Fire Law News twice recently, is once again facing a lawsuit. The Magnolia Fire Department, Montgomery County Emergency Services District #10, and two chief officers are facing a sexual harassment suit brought by a former firefighter - assistant office manager.
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Texas Appeals Court Concludes Houston Firefighter Immune in Backing Accident
The Fourteenth District Court of Appeals of Texas has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the driver of a car that was struck by a Houston engine that was backing up. Emmitt Wilson filed the suit in state court naming the city and firefighter Jason Carroll as defendants
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Florida Deputy Chief Files FLSA Suit Seeking OT
A former deputy chief for a fire district in Florida has filed suit claiming he was not paid overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Brian C. Dubrasky filed suit against the Upper Captiva Fire Protection & Rescue District.
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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 in Oregon; a wrongful death suit brought against an Arizona fire department for not rescuing a victim; a suit by environmental groups in California seeking to block fuel reduction efforts in the San Bernardino National Forest; and a class action lawsuit against utility companies over the Lahaina Fire on the Island of Maui. Older Maryland Recruit Loses Age Discrimination Suit…
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Older Maryland Recruit Loses Age Discrimination Suit
A lawsuit filed in 2021 by a 46-year-old recruit who was terminated from the Howard County Fire Department’s fire academy in 2018, has been dismissed following a grant of summary judgment in favor of the county. Robert D. Whittaker, III, claimed he was the victim of age discrimination.
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Oregon Fire District Faces $20 Million Suit by Fired Chief
The Columbia River Fire & Rescue is facing a $20 million lawsuit filed by recently fired Fire Chief Joel Medina. The suit filed in US District Court for the District of Oregon names the fire district, four members of the fire district board, IAFF Local 3215 St. Helen’s Professional Fire Fighters Association, and several current and former officers of Local 3215.
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Arizona Fire Department Sued For Wrongful Death
The family of a woman who died in a fatal fire in Coolidge, Arizona, has filed suit against the city alleging the fire department was responsible for her death. Nicole Erin Gustafson died in a house fire on June 12, 2022.
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California Environmental Groups Sue Forest Service To Block Fuel Reduction in Big Bear
Several environmental groups, including the Friends of Big Bear Valley, John Muir Project of Earth Island Institute, and San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, have filed suit against the US Forest Service in an effort to block fuel reduction in the San Bernardino National Forest, and more specifically in the vicinity of Big Bear.
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Class Action Lawsuit Blames Utilities for Deadly Maui Wildfire
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Maui Electric Company, Limited, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. alleging they bear responsibility for the tragic Lahaina Fire on the Island of Maui. At present at fire has claimed at least 99 lives, destroyed 2700 buildings, burned over 2,000 acres and caused damages estimated at over $5 billion.
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Fire Law Roundup for August 14, 2023
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 14, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a Rhode Island superior court decision upholding the right of fire districts to charge for plan review; the grant of summary judgment to the defendants in a lawsuit filed by a New Haven assistant chief against several other staff members; a decision by the Ninth Circuit concluding that the City of Stockton fired a former in 2011 for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons; a suit filed by a Mobile firefighter who was fired last year over a tattoo, alleging race, gender, sexual orientation and religious discrimination; hostile…
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Mobile Firefighter Terminated Over Tattoo Files Discrimination Suit
The Mobile firefighter who was fired last year over a tattoo, has filed suit against the city alleging race, gender, sexual orientation and religion discrimination; hostile work environment; retaliation; and violation of the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Kay’Ana Adams filed suit today in US District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.
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New Haven Suit Tossed By Trial Court
A truly unfortunate episode in the New Haven Fire Department has finally come to a close, at least as far as the trial court proceedings are concerned. A superior court judge has granted summary judgment to the city, the fire chief and several others in a lawsuit filed by an Assistant Chief.
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RI Court Upholds Ability of Fire Districts to Charge Plan Review Fees
A Rhode Island superior court judge has ruled that a local fire district can charge a plan review fee, and in doing so it is not bound by a local municipality’s valuation method for determining the amount of that fee. The suit was brought by UTGR, Inc., the company that operates Twin Rivers Casino in the town of Lincoln.
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