SPANIARD'S BAY, N.L. — A member of the Spaniard's Bay Volunteer Fire Department has filed a lawsuit against the municipality, accusing the town of negligence because it oversees the group.
According to information contained in a statement of claim filed in May of this year at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John's, Sheldon Coombs of Spaniard's Bay, currently away from the fire department on medical leave, is seeking general damages and special ones related to serious injuries he sustained at the fire hall. None of the information contained in the document has been proven in court and the town had not filed a statement of defence as of last week.
The statement of claim says Coombs was on a ladder June 24, 2017 helping move gear from one fire truck to another when the ladder gave way, causing him to fall and seriously injure his leg and foot.
Coombs is accusing the town of failing to ensure equipment provided for the department's use was appropriate, and of failing to ensure sufficient training was provided to its members. The statement of claim states that an outdoor ladder was used indoors in this instance. Coombs' lawsuit claims his injuries were a direct result of the town's negligence and the town is liable for damages.
Reached by The Compass, Coombs declined to comment. The Compass also contacted Mayor Paul Brazil, who said he could not speak on a matter before the courts. There were no dates listed on the Supreme Court docket for this matter as of this week.
This story has been updated to clarify Coombs' status as a firefighter.
