FIVE FREEDOMS: 871 LA Firefighters File Intent to Sue Over City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Hundreds of firefighters in Los Angeles have filed a notice of intent to sue the city over its public employee vaccine mandate.

The notice (pdf), filed on Oct. 7, said that the 871 firefighters are seeking $2.5 million each in damages.

“The claims will be filed in Superior Court as an unlimited civil case pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure,” Kevin McBride, attorney for the firefighters, wrote in the notice.

The Los Angeles City Council issued an ordinance (pdf) in August requiring all city employees to have had the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or a dose of the single-dose COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 5, unless they have a medical or religious exemption.