Fireman Sues New York over catastrophic injury

A 19-year veteran of the Des Plaines Fire Dept. filed a lawsuit against the city last week demanding that the city pay for his and his family's health insurance because of a disabling injury he suffered during an emergency training exercise a year ago, said John Q. Kelly, a New York catastrophic injury lawyer.

Firefighter/engineer James Kedroski, 48, alleges in his lawsuit that during a June 19, 2008 department search drill, which required him to enter into a smoke and heat filled building while dressed in full gear that included breathing apparatus, he suffered a "catastrophic injury" to his back. During the drill, he was required to search for potentially trapped victims.