If you ever encounter a situation where you have to stop and render aid to another person do you know what liability you may face? Watch Independent Program Attorney Matt Kilgo teach you the law so you won’t have to hesitate when it comes to saving a life.
Sherry Hale: We have all been there. You pass an accident on the side of the road; you want to help, but you’re worried what happens if something goes wrong can you be sued? The short answer is yes. Listen to what your Independent Program Attorney says about Good Samaritan laws in your state.
Matt Kilgo: It’s important to discuss Good Samaritan laws. Are there laws in Georgia that protect those who wish to assist in an emergency event? The short answer is yes, there is a Good Samaritan law on the books and let’s talk about that.
Official code of Georgia annotated 51 – 1 – 29 protects those individuals who attempt to assist in the time of an emergency, and I’m quoting here any person, including any person licensed to practice medicine and surgery and any person licensed to render services ancillary thereto, who in good faith renders emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency to the victims thereof without making any charge therefore. Meaning you can’t get paid for it. Shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such person in rendering emergency care or as a result of any act or failure to act to provide or arrange for further medical treatment or care for the injured person.
Now, this code section goes on to define emergency care to include, but not be limited to, the rescue or attempted rescue of an incapacitated or endangered individual from a locked motor vehicle. In other words, if you attempt to render emergency care at the scene of an accident or at the scene of an emergency you cannot be held liable civilly for your actions even if you are a doctor and you perhaps provide something other than the requisite standard of care. According to the statute, if you don’t get paid for it, if you’re attempting in good faith to provide this emergency care Georgia law protects you from civil damages as a result of your actions or any reasonable failure to act if you could have done something that you should have done but didn’t do. So long as you are acting as a Good Samaritan and without receiving any compensation, Georgia law protects you. So go out there and be a good Samaritan.
Sherry: The law offers you protection but the reality is you can be sued by anyone, anytime, for anything, even for acting as a good Samaritan. Texas LawShield is here to help so you don’t have to hesitate when doing the right thing. Get certified in First Aid for Gunshot Wounds today and receive our exclusive Good Samaritan coverage for free. Good Samaritan coverage is our way of protecting our good-hearted members. Go to 2aInstitute.com and get certified today!
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