Why is the good samaritan law important

It is essential to be aware of the laws in place and how they can be applied. The laws are meant to encourage providing help when not directly called to do so, as well as going through the necessary steps when providing that care. Good Samaritan laws will always have a standard but will constantly evolve as new drugs and situations arise. Elizabeth H. Joseph L. May 18, McEntire , Joseph L.

Pharmacy Times , May , Volume 89, Issue The Good Samaritan law in Kentucky is stricter than those in many other states. Conclusion Good Samaritan laws are easy to understand in theory but fall into a gray area when applied to real-world situations.

Good Samaritan laws. Updated September 20, Accessed April 8, Bible Gateway. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads.

Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. In a litigious society, there can be a reluctance to help out in emergency situations. Fear of liability for any misstep can paralyze even the most helpful good Samaritan.

In the United States, each state has laws or regulations to protect off-duty medically-trained personnel and the general public from liability during rescues or rescue attempts.

Specifics about your state should be discussed with a legal expert or attorney from your area. As well, the Aviation Medical Assistance Act provides liability protection for a healthcare professional acting as a good Samaritan in an in-flight medical emergency. A newer form of good Samaritan law protects those who call for medical assistance due to a drug overdose. These laws are now in place in most states, providing immunity from being charged with a drug-related offense or limiting the sentence, if charged.

Good Samaritan laws are meant to protect those who come to the aid of others for no other reason than kindness. Good Samaritan laws only help if the rescuer or would-be rescuer is acting without any expectation of reward.

In other words, if you are getting paid to rescue then you aren't a good Samaritan. Paid rescuers are expected to do their jobs correctly and can be held accountable for mistakes. In some states, good Samaritan laws only cover medically-trained rescuers, while other states extend protection to the general public. Depending on the state, getting rewarded after the fact can also count as an expectation of reward. Some states also require that the rescuer obtain the permission of the sick or injured person when possible.

In other words, a paramedic may still be deemed liable for the outcome of a patient treated at the scene of an emergency. If the parents are unavailable but immediate intervention is required, you should still be protected by implied consent. Once again, the specifics of the law can vary from state to state, but the law will usually be on your side as long as you provide reasonable assistance.

While the terms of the law vary from state to state, the idea is that drug users and witnesses are granted some level of immunity when calling in regard to a perceived drug overdose. Forty states and D. The following states do not offer this type of explicit protection yet:. Whereas a good Samaritan law protects people who act of their own volition, a bad Samaritan law holds people accountable for not providing help in an emergency.

Currently, only three states have this type of law on the books: Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Three other states, Hawaii, Washington, and Wisconsin, have laws requiring bystanders to at least call upon witnessing a medical emergency.

If you maintain an automated external defibrillator on behalf of your home, business, or public facility, and you are required to use the device in an emergency, your level of immunity will depend on your training and the laws in your state. There are numerous exceptions, of course, as some states specifically provide protection to all AED operators. Your program manager will ensure that your AED meets all state and federal requirements, including physician oversight, training, and device maintenance.