Firefighter Sues Over Severe Shoulder and Spine Injuries

A New York City Firefighter is reportedly bringing a lawsuit against the city and the FDNY for a severe personal injury he suffered fighting a fire in a Great Kills apartment. According to the lawsuit, the firefighter tripped over drug paraphernalia and electrical cords that were part of a marijuana growing operation within the apartment.

The 42-year-old firefighter suffered severe and disabling injuries to his shoulder and spine due to the fall. His injuries will require surgery and are thought to be career ending.

The injuries allegedly occurred after firefighters had responded and put out the fire. After extinguishing the flames, the firefighters were ordered to clean up the drug paraphernalia and drug-growing equipment. During that process, the firefighter bringing the lawsuit slipped and fell after getting tangled in electrical cords.

According to the lawsuit filed in the state Supreme Court in St. George, the firefighter is allowed to sue both the city and the fire department for his injuries because they were caused by a statutory violation – in this case the illegal drug-growing operation going on in the apartment.

In addition, the firefighter is also contending that the city and fire department were also negligent in not providing necessary equipment to help remove the marijuana growing equipment and for not providing a safe means of access into the apartment. The lawsuit reportedly also names the owner of the apartment building as a potential defendant.

The firefighter reportedly comes from a well-known FDNY family with a son currently employed as a firefighter and a brother that suffered fatal injuries while battling a fire several years ago. The city and the FDNY have thus far declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Source: Staten Island Live, Decorated firefighter sues FDNY, city over career-ending injuries, Frank Donnelly 1/17/11