Federal Signal Corporation to Appeal Verdict in Philadelphia Hearing Loss Litigation

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Mar 03, 2010, 05:41 ET

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS), a leader in advancing security and well-being, announced today that it will appeal a jury decision made in a hearing loss claim filed by a single firefighter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The jury deliberated for nearly 20 hours over four days, and although it specifically found that Federal Signal's sirens were not defectively designed, by a non-unanimous verdict, the jury nonetheless awarded the plaintiff damages on a negligence theory.

Jennifer Sherman, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, General Counsel and Secretary, stated, "We are very pleased that the jury rejected the claim that Federal Signal's sirens were defectively designed. This verdict is consistent with the many successes Federal Signal has had over the past several years in defending the Company's life-saving products. That said, we are disappointed that the jury proceeded to award damages to the plaintiff. We believe that the damage award cannot stand in light of the jury's verdict that our sirens are not defective, and we will seek to overturn that verdict."

This litigation outcome follows a string of successes Federal Signal has had in the defense of similar claims in Cook County, Illinois, New York City, and elsewhere. Federal Signal obtained voluntary dismissals of all hearing loss cases filed against it in Maryland, New Jersey, and Missouri during the past two years. Federal Signal also won dismissal of similar hearing loss claims filed by four New York City firefighters, which was affirmed by an appeals court in June 2009. In January of 2010, Federal Signal was awarded summary judgment on the claim of one Philadelphia firefighter. In November of 2009, Federal Signal prevailed on the claims of two other Philadelphia firefighters who consented to the entry of summary judgment against them on the day the first trial was set to begin. These two plaintiffs agreed to waive any appeal rights in exchange for a nominal reimbursement of their litigation expenses. Federal Signal remains a defendant in hearing loss cases filed in Philadelphia and Chicago. In Chicago, Federal Signal obtained a complete defense verdict in a consolidated trial involving 27 plaintiffs during 2008, and lost a jury trial in February 2009 involving the consolidated claims of nine firefighters. The Company is appealing the adverse verdict. The claims of 74 other Cook County firefighter plaintiffs have also been dismissed over the course of the litigation.

About Federal Signal

Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) enhances the safety, security and well-being of communities and workplaces around the world. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and institutional customers. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., with manufacturing facilities worldwide, the Company operates three groups: Safety and Security Systems, Environmental Solutions and Fire Rescue. For more information on Federal Signal, visit: http://www.federalsignal.com.

SOURCE Federal Signal Corporation