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Should You Be a Good Samaritan?

s to occur often in television shows and movies, but it can also happen in real life: You hear cries from someone in danger and are not sure if you should help out. Are you legally obligated to assist that person? This is a somewhat controversial area of the law.

Most states have passed “Good Samaritan” laws that relieve physicians of liability when they come to a person's aid in an emergency. In some states, this legal protection has been extended to other do-gooders.

Assuming that you do not have a special relationship and/or did not cause the problem, there is no legal obligation to rescue someone who is in harm's way. However, if you begin to rescue the person and then abandon your efforts, you might be held liable if the victim is left in a worse condition because of it. Lately, the courts have begun to review the facts and circumstances of each particular case.

When you are in doubt and have to make a quick decision, you might follow this rule of thumb: If you know that someone is in extreme danger and you could have assisted that person with little inconvenience on your part, you should provide the person with reasonable care. Be careful and use common sense.

 

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