PERSONAL INJURY LAW: Firefighters Rule did not apply to off-duty State Trooper

The Connecticut Superior Court holds that the Firefighters Rule does not apply to an off-duty State Trooper.  The State Trooper allegedly injured his hand while extricating an unconscious vehicle operator following a single car accident.  The Trooper sued the operator, alleging that the driver was negligent and reckless, proximately causing the Trooper’s injuries.  The Firefighter’s Rule prevents certain claims of first responders injured in the line of duty.  Here, the Superior Court holds that the rule does not apply to bar the Trooper’s claim, since the rule was limited to the premises liability context and the case before the court did not present such a claim.

Aitken v. Kroll, July 16, 2015