Good Samaritan Laws And AEDs
By: Lindsay Barton
MomsTeam Health & Safety Editor |
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Reviewed: by Glenn Laub, MD |
What Is A "Good Samaritan Law?"
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Good Samaritan laws:
Help protect rescuers voluntarily helping a victim in distress from being successfully sued in tort (i.e. for wrongdoing).
Are designed to encourage people to help a stranger who needs assistance by reducing or eliminating the fear that, if they do so, they will suffer possible legal repercussions in the event that they inadvertently make a mistake in treating the victim.
Were primarily developed for first aid situations.
Differ from state to state
Most states require that the victim not object to receiving aid, but do not the victim's consent (which, of course, could not be given if the victim was unconscious).
The laws of some states, such as Nevada, apply to all citizens.
The laws of other states, such as California, are written specifically for physicians.
The statutes listed below use similar or identical basic standard for assessing the liability of persons rendering emergency medical care:
"Any person who, in good faith, renders emergency medical care or assistance to an injured person at the scene of an accident or other emergency without the expectation of receiving or intending to receive compensation from such injured person for such service, shall not be liable in civil damages for any act or omission, not constituting gross negligence, in the course of such care or assistance."
Relevant individual state statutes are as follows:
Alabama
Ala. Code §6-5-332 (1975)
Ala. Code §6-5-332.3 (1999)(AED use)
Provides immunity for lay rescuers but no extended immunity;
Provides immunity for AED acquirers and enablers; and
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training at AHA, ARC or other recognized course.
Alaska
Alaska Stat. §09.65.090 (Michie 2000)
Alaska Stat. §18.08.086 (Michie 2000)
Provides immunity for rescuers; and
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training at AHA, ARC or other nationally recognized course
Arizona
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §2263 (2000) Gen. Stat.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §2262 (2000)(Use & training AED req)
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §2264 (2000)(AED exemption)
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §2261 (2000) AED def.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §36.2263 (2002)
Arkansas
Ark. Code Ann. §17-95-101 (Michie 1999) Gen.
Ark. Code Ann. §17-95-605 (Michie 1999) AED.
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers of AEDs
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training.
California
Cal. Health and Safety Code §1317 (1973)
Cal. Civ. §1714-21 (West 2000)(AED Immunity)
Cal. Health & Safety §1797.190 (West 2000)(Reqmts for owners of AED, penalties for violators)
Calif. Bus & Prof. Code § (West 2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers of AED
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training to AHA or ARC standards
Colorado
Colo. Rev. Stat. §13.21-108 (1997)
Connecticut
Conn. Gen. Stat. §52-557b(2000)
Delaware
Del. Code Ann. Tit.24 §1767 (1975)
District of Columbia
D.C. Code Ann. §7-401(1981)
Florida
Fla. Stat. Ann. §401.2915 (West 2000)(Training & contact EMS reqs.)
Fla. Stat. Ann. §768.13 (West 2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Georgia
Ga. Code Ann. §51-1-29 (1982)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for AED acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training approved by Dept. of Human Resources
Hawaii
Haw. Rev. Stat. §663-1.5(1969)
Haw. Rev. Stat. §453-2 (1999)(License Req.)
Haw. Rev. Stat. §457-8 (1999)(License Req.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers of AED but not for trainers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training under an AED program administered by a physician
Idaho
Idaho Code §39-7113 (1948)
Idaho Code §5-330 (1999)(Gen. Stat.)
Illinois
745 Ill. Comp. Stat. 49.12 (West 2000)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for AED acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CRP & AED training at AHA standard
Indiana
Ind. Code Ann. §15-5-1.1-31 (1977)
Ind. Code Ann. §34-4-12.1 (West 2000)
Iowa
Iowa Code §613.17 (1982)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides same immunity for rescuers as for other EMS providers
Does not provide rescuers immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training approved by Dept. of Public Health
Kansas
Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-2891 (1965)
Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-2981 (1999)
Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-6128 (1999)
Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-6129(b) (1999)(Certification necessary)
Provides immunity for rescuers
No immunity provided for acquirers and enablers
Encourages some training elements, including first aid and proficiency in AED
Kentucky
Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §311.668 (2000)
Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §411.148 (Banks-Baldwin 1999)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED Training such as AHA, ARC or other nationally recognized training course.
Louisiana
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §37.1732 (West 1984)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §9.2793 (West 2000)(Gratuitous Service Immunity)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §40.1236.14 (West 2000)(AED Immunity)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §40.1236.13 (West 2000)(Training Req.)
Maine
Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. §32-93 (1985)
Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. Tit. 14 §164 (West 2000)(Gen., Stat)
Maryland
Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Pro. §5-603 (1982)(Gen. Stat)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers, except trainees
Encourages CPR & AED Training
Massachusetts
Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 12 §111c, 112 (2000)(AED Stat)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers-MD, Acquirer
Encourages/requires AHA or ARC guidelines training
Michigan
Mich. Stat. Ann. §691.1501 (1987)
Mich. Comp. Laws §333.70965(2) (1999)(AED Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers - acquirer, MD, Trainer
Minnesota
Minn. Stat. §604.A.01 (1994)
Mississippi
Miss. Code Ann. §73-25-37 (1962)(amended 2000)
Immunity provided for trained responders
Immunity provided for trainers and MD's only as Acquirers and Enablers
Encourages/requires CPR and AED training
Missouri
Mo. Rev. Stat. §190.092 (2000)(AED Immunity)
Mo. Rev. Stat. §537.037 (1979) Gen. Stat.
Provides immunity for rescuers
Does not provide immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR and AED training
Montana
Mont. Code. Ann. §27-1-714(1963) Gen. Stat.
Mont. Code. Ann. 50-6-505 (2000)(AED Limited Liability)
Mont. Code. Ann. 50-6-501 (2000)(AED Def.)
Mont. Code. Ann. 50-6-502 (2000)(Req. for AED use)
Mont. Code Ann. 50-6-503 (2000)(Training Reqmts)
Mont. Code Ann. 27-1-186 (2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED Training
Nebraska
Neb. Rev. St. §71-5194 (1997)
Neb. Rev. St. §71-5178 (2000)(AED Plan)
Neb. Rev. St. §71-51,102 (2000)(AED Def.)
Neb. Rev. St. §25-21-186 (2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Does not provide immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED Training
Nevada
Nev. Rev. Stat. §41.500 (1963)
Nev. Rev. Stat. §41.500.8 (2000)(AED User Limited Liability)
Nev. Rev. Stat. §41.506 (2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Provided immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers, except physicians
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training- AHA or ARC standards
New Hampshire
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:12 (1997)(Gen. Stat.)
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 153-A:11(2000)(AED Exception to Liability)
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §153-A:28 (2000)(intent)
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §153-A:29 (2000)(def.)
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §153-A:30 (2000)(raining)
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §153-A:31 (2000)(AED limited liability)
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §508.12-a(2000)
New Jersey
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2A:62A (1963)
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2A:2A-23 (West 2000)(Legis. findings on AED)
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2A-62A-24 (West 2000)(AED Def.)
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2A-62A-25 (West 2000)(Req. of Acquisition of AED)
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2A:62A-26 (West 2000)(Cert for use)
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2A:62A-27 (West 2000)(AED Civil Liab.)
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2A-62A-1 (West 2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
For AED in business/comm.
Sites require company to have plan In place before doctor will prescribe AED.
Encourages/requires CPR & AED Training
New Mexico
N.M. Stat. Ann. §24-10B-4M (Michie 2000)(AED Plan)
N.M. Stat. Ann. §24-10C-2 (Michie 2000)(Legis. Findings)
N.M. Stat. Ann. §24-10C-3 (Michie 2000)(AED Def.)
N.M. Stat. Ann. §24-10C-4 (Michie 2000)(AED Req.'s for use)
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 24-10-3 (Michie 2000)(Gen. Stat)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provided immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires nationally recognized courses on CPR & AED
New York
N.Y. Pub. Health Law §3000-a(McKinney 2000)(AED User Immunity)
N.Y. Pub. Health Law §3000-b(McKinney 2000)(AED Def.)
N.Y. Pub. Health Law §3013 (McKinney 2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED Training
North Carolina
N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-21.14 (1975)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training
North Dakota
N.D. Cent. Code §32-03 (1987)
N.D. Cent. Code §32-03-40(1999)(Emergency Treatment Immunity)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training
Ohio
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §2305.23 (1977)
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §3701.85 (Anderson 2000)(Duty of AED Owner)
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4765.36 (Anderson 2000)(First Responder Def.)
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4765.37 (Anderson 2000)(EMT Def.)
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4765.49 (Anderson 2000)(Immunities)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for physician and trainer
Encourages/requires CPR & AED but does not tie training to Immunity
Oklahoma
Okla. Stat. Tit. 76 §5 (1979) Gen. Stat.
Okla. Stat. Tit. 76 §5A (2000)(AED User Immunity)
Oregon
Or. Rev. Stat. §30.801 (1999)(AED User Immunity)
Or. Rev. Stat. §30.800 (1999)(Emer. Assist. Immunity)
Or. Rev. Stat. §682.135 (1999)(Req. for License)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers, trainers and MDs.
Encourages/requires course approved by Health Division of Dept. of Dept of Human Resources
Pennsylvania
PA. Cons. Stat. Ann. Tit. 42 §8331 (1978)(Gen. Stat.)(Amended 2000 for AED user immunity)
Rhode Island
R.I. Gen. Laws §9-1-34 (2000)(AED User Immunity)
RI Gen. Laws §23.6.2.2 (2000)(Approving Placement of AED's)
RI Gen. Laws §23-6.2-1 (2000)(Decl. Of RI Policy on AED's)
RI Gen. Laws §9-1-27.1 (1953)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers (trainers and medical directors only)
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training to AHA or ARC standards
South Carolina
S.C. Code Ann. §44-76-10 (Law Co-op 2000)(AED Act)
S.C. Code Ann. §44-76-20 (Law Co-op 2000)(AED Def.)
S.C. Code Ann. §44-76-30 (Law Co-op 2000)(Training)
S.C. Code Ann. §44-76-40 (Law Co-op 2000)(User Immunity)
S.C. Code Ann. §44-76-50 (Law Co-op 2000)(Applicability of Act)
S.C. Code Ann. §15-1-310 (1962)(Gen. Stat)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers of AEDS and prescribing
Physicians; no immunity for trainers
Encourages/recommends AHA or ARC standards of training
South Dakota
S.D. Codified Laws §20-9-3 (1968)
S.D. Codified Laws §20-9-4.3 (Michie 2000)(AED Def.)
S.D. Codified Laws §20-9-4.4 (Michie 2000)(AED User Immunity)
S.D. Codified Laws §20-9-4.6 (Michie 2000)(AED Trainer Immunity)
S.D. Codified Laws § 20-9-4.7 (Michie 2000)(Owner Notification Requirements)
S.D. Codified Laws §20-9-4.1 (Michie 2000)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training
Tennessee
Tenn. Code Ann. §63-6-218 (1963)
Tenn. Code Ann. §68-140-701-68-140-710 (1999)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training
Texas
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §779.006 (West 2000)(AED immunity)
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §779.001 (West 2000)(AED definition)
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §779.002(West 2000)(AED training)
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §779-003 (West 2000)(AED maintenance)
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §779.004 (West 2000)(AED use)
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §779.005 (West 2000)(Not. Reqs.)
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §779-006 (West 2000)(Owner Reqs.)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §74-74.001 (West 1977)(Liability Immunity)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Tem. Code Ann. § 74.002 (West 2000)(Lic. Req.)
Provides immunity only for trained users
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR and AED training approved by the Department of Health
Utah
Utah Code Ann. §78-11-22 (1953)
Utah Code Ann. §58-31b-701 (1999)(AED User Immunity)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for healthcare providers providing instruction on use of AEDs
Encourages/Requires CPR & AED training under AHA guidelines
Vermont
VT. Stat. Ann. Tit. 78 §11-22(1977)
Virginia
Va. Code Ann. §8.01-225 (1967)(Gen. Stat.)
Va. Code Ann. §8.01-225.A.6 (Michie 1999)(AED User Indemnity)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Providers immunity for AED acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training
Washington
Wash. Rev. Code §70.136.070 (1987)(Gen. Stat.)
Wash. Rev. Code §70-54.310 (1999)(Immunity for AED User)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers of AEDs and enablers
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training per AHA guidelines
West Virginia
W. Va. Code Ann. §55-7-15 (1966)(Gen. Stat.)
W. Va. Code §16-4D-4 (1999)(AED User limitation on Liability)
W.Va. Code §16-4D-1 (1999)(Legis. Findings)
W.Va. Code §16-4D-2 (1999)(AED Def.)
W.Va. Code §16-4D3 (1999)(Early AED programs)
W.Va. Code §55-7-15 (1999)(Gen. Stat.)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquirers and enablers
Encourages/requires training at CPR & AED training at AHA Standards
Wisconsin
Wis. Stat. §895.48 (1977)(Limitations on liability)
Wis. Stat. §146.50 (2000)(AED Def.)
Provides immunity for trained rescuers
Provides immunity for providers, owner and trainers for AED device
Encourages/requires training approved by Dept. of Health And Family Services
Wyoming
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-26-103 (Michie 2000)(AED Limited Liability)
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-26-101 (Michie 2000)(AED Def.)
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-26-102 (Michie 2000)(AED use)
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-1-120 (1977)(Gen. Stat.)
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-36-108 (Michie 2000)(Gen. Exemptions)
Provides immunity for rescuers
Provides immunity for acquires and enablers of AED
Encourages/requires CPR & AED training
Source: American Reserve Corp. July 2003
Article Updated: July 6, 2006
Published March 4, 2004
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