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**Some information taken from Wiki**
During our company safety meeting yesterday, we discussed the legalities of the Good Samaritan Law and how it affects our daily work. Utah has just passed the Good Samaritan Law that basically states that you cannot be held responsible and are protected from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death. We were encouraged to help a person in distress if so confronted but in Utah, there is no "Duty to Rescue".
This brings up my next point ...
"Duty to Rescue"
In the common law of the United States, there is no general duty to come to the rescue of another. Generally, a person cannot be held liable for doing nothing while another person is in peril. Where a duty to rescue arises, the rescuer must generally act with reasonable care, and can be held liable for injuries caused by a reckless rescue attempt. However, many states have limited or removed liability from rescuers in such circumstances, particularly where the rescuer is an emergency worker. Furthermore, the rescuer need not endanger himself in conducting the rescue.
However, contrary to common law, eight states have laws requiring people to help strangers in peril: Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
"The Scenario"
You have just been involved in a self defense shooting. If you live in one of the 8 states listed above, do you render aid to the person you just shot? Due to the circumstances, are you protected under the Good Samaritan law if applicable in your state?
This post was designed as "food for thought". We always discuss scenarios and what to do afterwards. When I applied this to a self defense situation, I was somewhat confused as to the next step after calling 911. It would be extremely difficult to render aid to somebody who just committed a violent crime against myself or my family and I used deadly force to stop the threat.
Interested in hearing your responses.
During our company safety meeting yesterday, we discussed the legalities of the Good Samaritan Law and how it affects our daily work. Utah has just passed the Good Samaritan Law that basically states that you cannot be held responsible and are protected from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death. We were encouraged to help a person in distress if so confronted but in Utah, there is no "Duty to Rescue".
This brings up my next point ...
"Duty to Rescue"
In the common law of the United States, there is no general duty to come to the rescue of another. Generally, a person cannot be held liable for doing nothing while another person is in peril. Where a duty to rescue arises, the rescuer must generally act with reasonable care, and can be held liable for injuries caused by a reckless rescue attempt. However, many states have limited or removed liability from rescuers in such circumstances, particularly where the rescuer is an emergency worker. Furthermore, the rescuer need not endanger himself in conducting the rescue.
However, contrary to common law, eight states have laws requiring people to help strangers in peril: Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
"The Scenario"
You have just been involved in a self defense shooting. If you live in one of the 8 states listed above, do you render aid to the person you just shot? Due to the circumstances, are you protected under the Good Samaritan law if applicable in your state?
This post was designed as "food for thought". We always discuss scenarios and what to do afterwards. When I applied this to a self defense situation, I was somewhat confused as to the next step after calling 911. It would be extremely difficult to render aid to somebody who just committed a violent crime against myself or my family and I used deadly force to stop the threat.
Interested in hearing your responses.