The Good Samaritan Laws May Vary

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Abstract Ever wonder the purpose of the “The Good Samaritan laws” and who is protected? The purpose of this law is to protect an individual that assist in providing aid during a medical emergency. This law may vary from state to state. Some state laws protect anyone who provides aid while others may not. Becoming aware of these laws would be ideal, but not knowing the key points of each law where someone may encounter an emergency should be protected if they act reasonably. Keywords: liable, protect Good Samaritan Laws May Vary In her article “How good a Samaritan should you be?” Penny S. Brooke (2003) describes legal ramifications and duties a nurse has when encountering an emergency situation outside of work. Many people refuse involvement during an emergency due to a possible lawsuit. They may be unaware that most states have Good Samaritan laws. These laws are designed to protect an individual from being held liable when volunteering their healthcare skills in an emergency. Each law varies state by state. For example: Vermont laws protect anyone who helps unless their actions are unreasonable. If someone doesn’t provide aid in an emergency, Vermont laws call for penalties. In contrast, Minnesota laws aren’t as crucial. Even though…show more content…
47). Many people see nurses as compassionate caregivers, but the law doesn’t grant absolute protection for all free-willed acts of benevolence. If a nurse is asked to perform medical care on an individual outside of work in a non-emergency situation, he or she could be held liable if they injure that person. Although they may feel uncomfortable refusing to help, facing them in court could be much worse. As a nurse, advising them to pursue care from a professional who knows their medical history would be a smart thing to do. Remember to always think twice before offering advice or nursing care outside of
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