Firefighter Article

Robert L. Elliott
A T T O R N E Y A T L A W
: Certified Civil Trial Specialist : National Board of Trial Advocacy :
E-mail : elliottlaw@attorneyelliott.com

Firefighter reaches settlement
over injury

By Annysa Johnson
of the Journal Sentinel Staff

Wauwatosa- A Wauwatosa firefighter injured when a new firetruck malfunctioned last year has settled with the manufacturer for $800,000, according to his attorney.

"We're very pleased with the settlement, said Robert Elliott, who represented firefighter Ralph Dahlman in the lawsuit against 3D Manufacturing Inc. of Shawano.

Dan Miller, a spokesman for 3D, declined to comment.

In a related matter, Dahlman and the City of Wauwatosa are nearing a settlement regarding his retirement benefits and worker's compensation claims related to the accident, Elliott said. Neither Elliott nor assistant city attorney Beth Aldana would comment on the terms of that settlement, saying they are confidential.

By law, any amount the city pays Dahlman in worker's comp benefits would be reimbursed from the $800,000 paid by the manufacturer, Elliott said.

Dahlman sued 3D in August 1998 after a hose snagged on the city's new "quint" firetruck, then snapped free and struck Dahlman while he was watching a training exercise.

According to the lawsuit, Dahlman suffered a broken leg and head injuries as a result of the impact.

Dahlman, 61, never returned to work and retired this month, according to Fire Chief Dean Redman. At the time of his injury, he was the city's longest serving firefighter, with 31 years in the department.

The lawsuit alleged 3D was negligent in failing to ensure the hose would come out of storage compartments without obstruction. It also alleged the truck was unsafe for normal use.

When he was struck by the hose, the newly purchased quint- which combines five major firefighting functions on one vehicle- was being demonstrated for Wauwatosa firefighters for the first time. Redman said 3D has since modified the truck and it remains in service.

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