The City of Buffalo is one step closer to paying a multimillion-dollar settlement to a firefighter injured in a house fire.
Buffalo firefighter Eric Whitehead sued the city after he was seriously burned in an attic fire in the summer of 2019.
Wednesday afternoon, the Buffalo Common Council Claims Committee voted to send a recommendation to pay Whitehead a $2.3 million settlement to the full common council for a vote to officially approve the payment next month, according to WGRZ NBC 2.
Whitehead’s attorney, Charles Desmond, said the settlement would provide financial security for Whitehead, his wife and three children. Not being able to return to work due to the injuries, the settlement would provide him with substantial security for the rest of his life.
While working in the attic at the fire, Whitehead, who was running out of air, removed his gloves to activate his emergency button on the radio.
The lawsuit said the fire department violated policies and procedures by allowing firefighters to work out of class where they are not properly trained, instructed and certified.
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