Firefighters Barred From Pursuing Tort Claims

The Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the professional rescuer doctrine barred a group of firefighters from pursuing a tort claim against a utility company after a gas explosion. Case: Markoff v. Puget Sound Energy, No. 77785-8-I, 08/19/2019, published. Facts: On March 9, 2016, the Seattle Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a gas leak. Nine firefighters arrived on the scene. An explosion leveled two buildings and injured the firefighters. An investigation concluded that the leak and explosion would not have happened if not for improper decommissioning of ...