Ohio Firefighters Injured in 2002 Ladder Truck Crash Want Compensation from City
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Four firefighters hurt when their ladder truck crashed into a tavern say they're still suffering from injures related to the wreck and want the city to compensate them.
Michael F. Colley, the attorney for Richard Conti, Dennis Hammond, Andrew Trott and John Vacheresse, sent a letter this week to city attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. The four want nearly $1.2 million for ongoing problems related to the July 2002 accident, although no lawsuit has been filed.
Their firetruck lost its brakes and crashed into Patrick J's Bar & Grille. Colley said in the letter that the men continue to suffer problems including migraine headaches, knee problems and back pain.
``The City of Columbus was certainly aware of the dangerous condition of the braking system,'' Colley wrote.
Maintenance records on the 10-year-old truck showed a six-year history of brake problems.
A police report after the accident absolved the firefighters of responsibility, but consultants in 2003 said Trott may have contributed to the crash by not handling the truck's air brake pressure properly.
Colley said those reports were commissioned to protect the city in case the firefighters sued.
A phone message seeking comment was left for Pfeiffer after business hours Friday.
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