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.
Strategies for overcoming the unique challenges of leading a non-profit EMS organization
Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the time saved with lights and siren use has little-to-no impact on patient outcomes
How disciplinary action is perceived offers evidence for implementing Just Culture values
The two men face up to 10 years in federal prison for possession of firearms; they are already serving time for beating EMT and San Francisco Giant’s fan Bryan Stow to the point of brain damage
Although 15 people were rescued there are still 24 missing passengers; pilot called mayday shortly after takeoff
The victim told police that he examined her breast and was “acting creepy” because of the sexual comments made during the exam
CEO calls vendor’s unwillingness to service current equipment an ‘unfunded mandate’ to purchase required equipment
An appeals court ruled there were questions about the failure to use a siren in a crash where a 76-year-old driver failed to yield
The 2-month-old was dead when paramedics arrived, and a woman’s 14-year-old daughter was arrested after a police investigation
A battalion chief and firefighter-medic have resigned after investigation finds unauthorized study guide for protocol test; another officer is under investigation
We have to be proactive in researching root causes of internal stereotypes, and work to change any biases seen in departments
Findings will soon be released about a female medic and at least a dozen firefighters under investigation for sexual activity in ambulances and firehouses around the city
He filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city, saying he was harassed based on his sexual orientation and fired for “not being a good fit”
Tragedies like West Nickel Mines school shooting have led to new EMS and police response tactics for active shooter incidents
The federal government alleged that for six years Trans-Star Ambulance Services filed false claims for transports that were not medically necessary
Police are searching for suspect that was dragging woman; passing ambulance stopped to assist woman
Veteran paramedic Greg Turner died while on the job; police and Occupational Health and Safety are investigating the death, which was deemed non-criminal
Sioux Falls able to move forward with ambulance contract negotiations after Med-Star protested bidding process
The lawsuit alleges the EMT driving the ambulance was negligent when he struck Manuel’s car while transporting a patient in critical condition
At least 10 patients suffered mild burns to severe “thick skin burns,” a five-month internal investigation revealed the cause
He hasn’t responded to the allegations and the state filed reprimand paperwork against him
Read the report and apply the lessons learned to improve your policies, training, and operations
James P. Booth to lead EMS with Michael J. Fitton as his second-in-command after an agency reshuffling
A report provides details on how Josh Weissman died from a 2012 fall from an overpass; we provide details on how he lived
Praise often goes to the team as a whole, while individual members that make mistakes are often disciplined in public rather than in private
Five questions every EMS leader should ask employees about their perceptions of the organization
ATCEMS investigating video that shows ambulance, with lights activated, crossing tracks as train approaches
One medic is accused of showing a female colleague a picture of himself involved in a sex act; the other medic asked a female colleague to be involved in a foursome
Investigation showed he double-billed the city to increase his pension; he will continue to receive the monthly retirement check unless convicted
He converted the rig into a set for pornography photo shoot, and unknowingly uploaded the photos to the ambulance company’s server
Kas. gun store owners and suspects exchange gun fire; 2 suspects critically wounded
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- NJ officials seek 1-year suspension for EMT instructor accused of poor record keeping
- Iowa ambulance director suspended without pay
- Termination recommended for ‘egregious acts of cheating’ by 2 Wash. firefighters
- Family of teen hit by Pa. fire dept. ambulance files lawsuit
- $750K Medicare fraud leads to prison sentence for former EMS operator