Wife of fallen HFD captain sues Motorola over SW Inn fire

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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Widow of HFD Capt. William Dowling sues Motorola
Widow of HFD Capt. William Dowling sues MotorolaJacki Dowling is suing Motorola, claiming it is responsible for delays in Capt. William Dowling's rescue that led to his brain injury.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The wife of a Houston Fire captain who died nearly four years after he was injured in the 2013 Southwest Inn fire is suing Motorola.

The lawsuit filed Feb. 18 by Jacki Dowling alleges Capt. William Dowling's brain injury and damage were caused by defective, untested and faulty emergency radio devices during the May 31, 2013 fire.

RELATED: Firefighter deaths in SW Inn fire caused by radios, attorney says

According to the lawsuit, the Motorola radio system blocked and prevented needed emergency transmissions more than 339 times, and blocked transmissions that caused a loss of up to 27 minutes of rescue time to reach and recover Capt. Dowling.

Dowling died on March 7, 2017.

The Dowling family's lawsuit is only the latest against Motorola involving the deadly fire.

Firefighters Anne Sullivan, Robert Garner, Matthew Renaud and Robert Beebe were killed in the fire along the Southwest Freeway.

SEE ALSO: Firefighter's union calls for end to Southwest Inn fight

Their families filed a federal lawsuit against Motorola last April.

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