Legal Issues
The legal issues topic contains news and information about legal issues affecting EMS personnel, agencies or departments. Find the latest news from personnel misconduct, to disciplinary and harassment cases, to malpractice lawsuits, as well as advice to prevent legal action with EMS training, documentation and management.
A recent poll found that nearly 70% of those who responded hold either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an EMS-related field
Qualified immunity protection varies from state to state. Do you know yours?
There is a lot to learn from the Page, Wolfberg and Wirth examination of hospital bed delays and the rights of EMS to return to service
Increasing the number of ambulances in a regionalized fleet maintenance program gives paramedic chiefs more influence with vendors
Dr. Jullette Saussy said the department is resistant to reform and that people are dying needlessly
The paramedics were assaulted as they were trying to treat an intoxicated female patient
The bill would provide benefits to the families of public safety personnel killed in the line of duty
Without knowing the root cause of the behavior problem, fixing it is sheer luck
The patient was charged with reckless conduct for attacking the EMT
The doctor prescribed “crazy, outrageous amounts of medication” to patients who didn’t need the pills
EMS providers work alongside fire and police, but are often not treated the same way
Prepare for behavioral emergencies by understanding pathophysiology, personal protection, patient handling and restraint techniques, and the importance of documentation
The lawsuit argues that the company, which mostly provides transport for dialysis patients, fraudulently billed Medicare for these rides as ambulance rides
The toddlers were found breathing abnormally and were believed to have ingested opiates
The patient became combative as paramedics and firefighters tried to put him on a stretcher
Chief Jeremy Hunt, who’s also a reserve police officer, exchanged gunfire with a man after responding to a vehicle crash
Kaitlyn Carlson, 22, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.247, which is more than three times the legal threshold
EMS providers have a duty to make a good faith effort to provide competent, efficient and compassionate emergency care to everyone and anyone in need
Dashcam video captured two young men joking, checking their phones and smoking while driving in the stolen vehicle
He will be suspended for 90 days without pay after suggesting overdose victims die and calling Narcan the worst drug ever created
A recent Illinois court ruling claims responders will no longer have immunity from lawsuits brought by individuals who accuse them of not providing the proper level of response
In two separate incidents in recent days paramedics on duty were robbed at gunpoint
The firefighter called Narcan the worst drug ever created and suggested letting overdose victims die
An investigation calls into question the training 23 firefighters received
A snake bit a boy at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, leading to the death of the boy’s grandmother
Responders will no longer have blanket immunity from lawsuits brought by individuals who accuse them of not providing the proper level of protection or response
The former EMS director and his wife were arrested after an audit uncovered the missing funds
The woman died from a blood clot in her lung; two relatives were charged with neglect
Kyle Juarez, 37, was killed in a Skylife air ambulance helicopter crash in December
Mark Pruitt arrested for killing Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Jason Adams, 29, who was responding to a medical emergency call
Mark Van Arnam has been in the ambulance business for over 45 years, and is looking forward to some new challenges
There are clinical, customer satisfaction and political reasons for delivering rapid and efficient response to all call types
The 10-year paramedic told police he stole two vials of Dilaudid with the intention of killing himself
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- High-speed pursuit of stolen ambulance leaves 3 W.Va. deputies injured
- Fla. EMS captain placed on unpaid leave after arrest in sex offender sting
- Minn. police: Teens crashed stolen vehicle into ambulance during pursuit
- Okla. ambulance stolen with patient inside
- EMS administrator, wife charged with stealing thousands from ambulance district