Hagens Berman is committed to fighting for the legal rights of first responders, their departments and municipalities.
We believe the people who run toward danger to protect others deserve counsel that fights just as hard on their behalf. We bring the same relentless determination for firefighters and police officers that we have applied against the world’s most powerful corporations for more than three decades.
As one of the nation’s most successful plaintiff-side law firms, Hagens Berman has the experience and resources to represent millions of class members in high stakes litigation against institutions and corporations that violate the laws intended to protect those who bravely serve.
STANDING UP FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Our active first responder cases span a range of threats facing today’s police and fire communities:
- Washington State Pension Protection — We are fighting to protect the LEOFF Retirement Fund of Washington state law enforcement officers and firefighters whose earned pensions are under legislative threat of being transferred away to other state funds to cover shortfalls in the state budget.
- Fire Truck Pricing Antitrust — We filed a first-of-its-kind antitrust lawsuit against major fire truck manufacturers, alleging illegal collusion that has driven up the cost of fire trucks and left fire departments across the country operating aging fleets.
- Firefighter Turnout Gear / PFAS — We are pursuing a class action against the makers, distributors and sellers of firefighter turnout gear laden with PFAS alleging they knowingly concealed that their products contain these harmful "forever chemicals" — putting the health of more than a million firefighters at risk.
LEGAL CLAIMS OF FIRST RESPONDER LITIGATION
Hagens Berman pursues a wide range of legal claims on behalf of first responders:
Pension & Retirement Protection
First responders spend decades earning their retirement benefits. When governments or retirement systems attempt to reduce, redirect or eliminate those benefits, we fight to hold them accountable. Our attorneys take on state government entities that seek to strip earned pension rights from the men and women who served their communities.
Anticompetitive Practices
When manufacturers of critical emergency equipment collude to fix prices or suppress production, first responders and the communities they serve pay the price. Hagens Berman pursues antitrust claims on behalf of fire departments and municipalities that have paid artificially inflated prices for fire trucks as a result of alleged manufacturer misconduct.
Toxic Exposure
Firefighters face elevated rates of cancer and other serious illnesses linked to toxic chemical exposure, including PFAS compounds. Hagens Berman pursues claims of toxic exposure and products liability on behalf of first responders who have suffered or may suffer serious health consequences as a result.
Workplace Injury
First responders face occupational hazards that most Americans will never encounter. When a workplace injury results from dangerous conditions, defective equipment or negligent practices, our personal injury litigation team will pursue maximum recovery.
CONTACT OUR FIRST RESPONDER LITIGATION TEAM
If you are a first responder — or a leader of a first responding department — who believes your rights have been violated, you deserve to be heard. Contact us today »
