Tag Archives: drowning

Maui Firefighter’s Mother Sues Captain Over LODD

The mother of a Maui firefighter who died after being caught in a storm drain last year, has filed suit against his company officer claiming his decision-making led to her son’s death. Chelsie Evans filed suit in Maui County Circuit Court naming Fire Captain Scott Martin, and 10 unnamed defendants.

Wrongful Death Suit Against Maine City and Firefighter is Dismissed

A wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Portland and a city firefighter over the drowning death of a man who was being pursued by police, has been dismissed. Eric Cohen died on April 12, 2020 after he jumped into the frigid bay waters.

Maine Drowning Suit to Proceed

A federal court judge has refused to dismiss a wrongful death - civil rights lawsuit against the City of Portland and a firefighter, brought by the family of a man who drowned in 2020. Eric Cohen died on April 12, 2020 after he fled from police and jumped into the frigid bay waters.

Lawsuit Against FDNY Over Dispatching Error Reinstated

A NY Supreme Court judge has reinstated a lawsuit against FDNY over a dispatching error to a drowning incident in 2014. The suit had been dismissed in 2016 because the mother of the victim failed to file a notice of claim with the city in a timely manner. The victim, a four-year-old girl, fell into a backyard swimming pool and was discovered floating unconscious. Her father, an emergency room physician, initiated CPR while others called 911

Magistrate Determines Wrongful Death Suit Over Maine Drowning Should Be Dismissed

A federal magistrate has recommended that a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Bangor for the death of a man who drown earlier this year, be dismissed. Peter Manuel jumped into the Kenduskeag River while fleeing from Bangor police officers on March 2. Bangor firefighters responded and both police and firefighters tried to help him but he refused until he disappeared into the icy waters.

Indiana Appeals Court Upholds Ruling in Favor of Fire Department

The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the Madison Township Fire Department in the wrongful death case of a toddler who drown in his backyard swimming pool. Kinser Clayton died after falling into the family’s swimming pool. He was 15 months old at the time.

Houston Sued for $1 Million Over Drowning Deaths

The City of Houston is facing a wrongful death suit by the family of an elderly couple who drown during a botched flood-water rescue in 2015. The children of Jack and Shirley Alter filed suit accusing the city of negligence in its attempt to rescue the couple during a major flooding event.

Oklahoma LODD Prompts Wrongful Death Suit

The widow of an Oklahoma firefighter who drown last year in floodwaters has filed a wrongful death suit against the city. Claremore Fire Captain Jason Farley died on May 23, 2015 when he was pulled into a flooded storm drain while at the scene of a water rescue.

Alabama Rescue Captain Indicted In LODD Drowning of Subordinate

An Alabama rescue squad captain has been charged criminally with negligent homicide over the death of a squad member last April during a water rescue. Michael Ervin Bettis has been indicted on one count of negligent homicide. The charge arises out of the death of Vicky Houston Ryan. Both Bettis and Ryan were members of the Etowah County Rescue Squad.

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone