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A New California Law Finally Puts Injured First Responders First
Ryan T. Trotta, Esq.
For years, peace officers and firefighters injured by negligent third parties faced a harsh reality: even when they successfully pursued a personal injury claim, they often walked away with little or nothing.
Urgent Update: Death Benefits Amended To Include Corrections Officers – AB 621
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
For the last 25 years, California law has treated Corrections Officers differently than local safety officers when it comes to an in-the-line-of-duty death.
Retired Correctional Officer PTSD Claims in California Workers’ Compensation
Bob T. Graswich, Esq.
Correctional officers experience high levels of stress throughout their careers. Daily exposure to violence, threats, and traumatic incidents takes a serious toll on mental health.
Whistleblowing Retaliation in California: Protected Activities
Ferrone Law Group
As a member of the fire department, you are entitled to a workplace free from unlawful retaliation. One of the most misunderstood legal principles is what activity is legally protected, and what whistleblowing activity is not.
Tragedy Of Errors Almost Leads To A Denial Of Benefits For A Correctional Officer
Zachary W. Tomlinson, Esq.
Hypertension is the silent killer. The mental and physical stressors of working within prison walls causes a daily toll on the health of Correctional Officers. Sometimes, Correctional Officers recognize the impact their career is having on their health…
A Two-Year Battle Results In A 6-Figure Settlement For The Son Of A Officer
Ryan T. Trotta, Esq.
After two years of aggressive litigation, Ferrone Law Group (FLG) secured a high six-figure settlement for their client against Kern High School District (KHSD). FLG represented the minor son of a public safety officer.
Protecting Yourself And Loved Ones Following An Injurious Traffic Collision
Ryan T. Trotta, Esq.
Very few drives are as mundane as the commute to work. Unfortunately, for all too many people, that commute can turn into a life-altering event. Immediately, you check to make sure you are okay.
Significant Victory Protecting A Deputy’s Career
Brett N. Rutkowski, Esq.
Our firm is proud to announce a major outcome in a recent POST decertification case involving an Orange County deputy sheriff.
The Big Lie: Exposing The Unfair Process in IDR Cases
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
The process for approving or denying an Industrial Disability Retirement (IDR) used to be straightforward and accurate. When treating physicians and evaluating doctors within the workers’ compensation system concluded…
The Honor Act – What it Means for American First Responders and their Families
Taylor K. Mathis, Esq.
The passing of the Honor Act provides American First Responders and their families the promise of greater support than ever before provided at the Federal level.
Skin Cancer Is Covered Under The Cancer Presumption
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
How often on calls for service have you noticed the steady-low rumble of a diesel engine idling next to you? This may not spark any sense of immediate danger, but diesel exhaust has been identified by the…
Updates: Pers Revised Disability Retirement & Reevaluation Required Documents
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
The Industrial Disability Retirement (ID) process is complicated for safety members. To qualify for an IDR under PERS, a member must show through a medical evaluation and report that they are permanently and substantially incapacitated…
Ferrone Law Group Obtains Published Appellate Court Decision Enhancing Retirement Benefits for Laterals
Michael A. McGill, Esq.
On Monday, January 30, 2023, Attorney Michael McGill obtained a favorable opinion from the Fourth District Appellate Court in the matter of Casson v. Orange County Employees Retirement System.
Negotiating a Workers’ Compensation Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program for Public Safety
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
Safety officers, who have claimed a work injury, will be faced with a host of complex work comp laws that have been designed to delay and deny benefits.
An Officer’s Guide for Stress Related Injuries
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
California public safety officers are subject to a challenging and at times stressful environment. Peace officers are frequently exposed to stress related injuries like suspect assaults, officer-involved shootings and severe orthopedic injuries.
Compensable Consequence Injuries in Workers’ Compensation
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
Workers’ compensation has a principal known as the ”compensable consequence” or secondary injuries, where a subsequent injury is the direct and natural consequence of an original industrial injury.
Coronavirus: What Law Enforcement Needs to Know for Workers’ Compensation
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
May 18, 2020 – Updated – Ferrone Law Group (FLG) attorneys are fielding hundreds of phone calls from public safety associations and officers throughout the state, who are all struggling to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
LA District Attorney Updates: What Does LA County Policy Changes Mean for Peace Officers
Ferrone Law Group
Newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon intends to release more than just a wave of policy changes in the criminal justice infrastructure of Los Angeles.
Mental Health Awareness: Focus on OIS and Critical Incidents
Kylie R. Coleman, Esq.
In the realm of protecting Public Safety, few scenarios demand an attorney’s rapid reaction and acute attention like responding to an Officer Involved Shooting or other Critical Incident (“OIS”).
Negotiating a Workers’ Compensation Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program for Public Safety
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
Safety officers, who have claimed a work injury, will be faced with a host of complex work comp laws that have been designed to delay and deny benefits.
Case Study: When Can An Employer Change Working Conditions?
Michael A. McGill, Esq.
On August 18, 2023, the Public Employment Relations Board issued its decision in the matter of Costa Mesa Firefighters, Local 1465 v. City of Costa Mesa…
Off Duty Injury Covered by Workers’ Compensation
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
Labor Code section 3600(a)(9) provides that an injury is not compensable if it arises out of ‘voluntary participation in any off-duty recreational, social or athletic activity not constituting part of the employee’s work-related duties’.
PERB Continues To Enhance Collective Bargaining Statutes
Ferrone Law Group
As you recall, the Ferrone Law Group (FLG) was successful in Compton Firefighters, IAFF Local 2216 v. City of Compton (2023), in obtaining historic remedies including reimbursement to Local 2216 for collecting bargaining costs…
Officer Prevails In “Freeway Therapy” Retaliation Case
Michael A. McGill, Esq.
In March 2010, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Investigator Rick Prancevic was punitively transferred from one county office to a different office, much further away from his home.
Understanding The “Heart” Presumption
Ryan T. Trotta, Esq.
Public safety officers are entitled to the ‘Heart Trouble’ presumption. If an officer develops or manifests ‘heart trouble’ during their employment, the ‘heart trouble’ is presumed to have been caused by work.
Senate Bill 2 Explained: Navigating the Peace Officer Decertification Process
Robert L. Baumann, Esq.
Senate Bill 2 (“SB2”) is the new law effective January 1, 2023, which establishes a requirement that all California Peace Officers be certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (“POST”).
Unfair Labor Charge Obtained Against Fullerton for Failing to Meet and Confer over Aid Agreement
Ferrone Law Group
Ferrone Law Group and the Fullerton Firefighters’ Association, International Association of Firefighters, Local 3421, have obtained an unfair labor charge against the City of Fullerton for failing to meet and confer over…
PERB Finds The City of Alhambra In Violation of Collective Bargaining Laws
Michael A. McGill, Esq.
Christmas came early for firefighters at the City of Alhambra! While most understand that an employer cannot violate its collective bargaining unit, what often goes unnoticed and unchallenged are changes to employer working conditions…
FLG Workers’ Comp May 2020 Update: Firefighting Foam & Cancer
Michael T. Bannon, Esq.
Chemical-based firefighting foam has been sold for decades because of its effectiveness in extinguishing jet fuel and petroleum fires.
Work Comp Road Map for Fire Fighters
John A. Ferrone, Esq.
Fire fighters face dangers every day. It is no surprise the job is one of the toughest in California. With these dangers comes the increased likelihood of an injury on duty (IOD).
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