Countdown to Fire School 2008:     
1-800-FIRELINE
   Welcome!    Click Here to Login     Register

  Quick Links  
WSFFA Home 
About WSFFA 
Contact Us 
Become a Volunteer 
Membership & Benefits 
News 
License Plate Effort 
Quarterly Newsletter 
Events & Training 
Annual Fire School 
Links of Interest 
Fireblast Training Trailer 
Spouse & Orphan Fund 
Photo Albums 
The Daily Dispatch 
Terms of Use 
Fundraising Effort 
Search 
   


Make a Donation

  Partners  
 


Washington State Good Samaritan Act

Over the years people have hesitated involving themselves in an emergency, in fear of being sued. In fact, I am not aware of damages ever being awarded for a person doing the right and humane thing. The Good Samaritan Act has been adopted in over 36 states in the USA. In addition, each state has their own form of Immunity Act(s). These acts are safeguards for bystanders and first responders attempting to perform life saving procedures such as first CPR and first aid. In Washington, the Good Samaritan Act is statutorily defined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), last revised in 1985, and is as follows:

RCW § 4. 24. 300 Persons rendering emergency care or transportation - Immunity from liability - Exclusion
 
Any person, including but not limited to a volunteer provider of emergency or medical services, who without compensation or the expectation of compensation renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency or who participates in transporting, not for compensation, therefrom an injured person or persons for emergency medical treatment shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such emergency care or in transporting such persons, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or wilful or wanton misconduct. Any person rendering emergency care during the course of regular employment and receiving compensation or expecting to receive compensation for rendering such care is excluded from the protection of this subsection.

[Added by Laws 1975, chapter 58-1. Amended by Laws 1985, chapter 443-19, effective July 1, 1985]

RCW § 4. 24. 310 Persons rendering emergency care or transportation - Definitions
 
For the purposes of RCW § 4.24.300 the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) "Compensation" has its ordinary meaning but does not include nominal payments, reimbursement for expenses, or pension benefits.
(2) "Emergency care" means care, first aid, treatment, or assistance rendered to the injured person in need of immediate medical attention and includes providing or arranging for further medical treatment or care for the injured person. Except with respect to the injured person or persons being transported for further medical treatment or care, the immunity granted by RCW § 4.24.300 does not apply to the negligent operation of any motor vehicle.
(3) "Scene of an emergency" means the scene of an accident or other sudden or unexpected event or combination or circumstances which calls for immediate action other than in a hospital, doctor's office, or other place where qualified medical personnel practice or are employed.

[Added by Laws 1975, chapter 58-2. Amended by Laws 1985, chapter 443-20, effective July 1, 1985]


  Events  
   


  News  
   


Secured by Verisign


Copyright © 2007 Washington State FireFighters' Association   Terms Of Use