An Inclusive Litany

9/7/92

Twelve-year-old Henry Frank III of Central Islip, N.Y. realized every red-blooded American child's dream when he got to ride on a fire truck. Unfortunately, Henry fell off the vehicle and broke his arm, prompting his mother to sue the Central Islip Fire Department for $1.1 million in damages—even though the attorney for the plaintiffs says the accident occurred through the negligence of volunteer firefighter Henry Frank II, the boy's father.

"The little boy is an innocent victim," attorney Sidney Siben told New York Newsday. Siben, who is representing the boy and his mother, added, "It was careless of the father to allow the son on the truck, but the Fire Department is responsible and they're going to have to pay. That's the purpose of being insured."