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.
First responders must be clear about their observations and follow key documentation guidelines to be considered as a credible witness
Examining the flaws in traditional employee reviews, and how organizational culture impacts engagement
On and off-the-record training to teach new leaders how to achieve change, and that in some cases, failure is “OK”
Medics gave police a description of the vehicle, which police found with the medical bag
Prosecutors say he shot her, showered to remove evidence and faked 911 call
By neglecting to be models that young people want to emulate, many view leadership as large, onerous, lonely and unappealing
Chris and Kelly also talk about the New York City medics being placed on modified duty after a fatal arrest
The family alleges she would still be alive today if the responding paramedics were properly trained and had proper medical equipment
He claimed he was a former firefighter and EMT; officers found the light, a pellet gun, a fake U.S. Marshal badge and handcuffs in his truck
The Third District Court of Appeal overturned a trial judge’s ruling last year that the fee was an unconstitutional tax
As a leader you’re constantly being scrutinized, and a quick weekly email can help ensure you’re communicating what you intend
Jack Stout received the Pinnacle Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering EMS management concepts that continue to resonate
Don’t become a result in a simple Google search that uncovers multiple examples of responders being suspended, fired, and sued for postings on social media
He claims he did not get a job as a firefighter/EMT due to his age; he also disclosed felony criminal convictions that stem from a massive burglary ring
A FOIA request revealed problems that included two paramedics passing the course without being present, and an evaluator who was not state certified
A jury heard that the 25-year-old raped one friend and fondled four others after they were drunk and he said he would look after them
He was arrested after detectives made an undercover purchase, and he was found with 180 opiate pills
Troubled dispatch technology, staff shortages, lack of ambulances and increased call volume weighing on the system
He suffered a broken leg and broken ribs in the crash and is currently in a rehab center
King also worked as a firefighter and a substitute school bus driver before he was arrested in 2013
The firing came after a string of complaints; in one Lt. Brad Tate allegedly dismissed a teen’s stomach pain that turned out to be a ruptured appendix
Chris and Kelly also talk about situational awareness in light of recent events that continue to put paramedics and EMTs in danger
The two parties “resolved the matter” after the ambulance service alleged the cameraman did not have permission to film on a ride along
Jurors found that Dodgers negligent in that the team failed to provide adequate security and must pay $13.9 million in damages, but absolved former owner Frank McCourt
She filed a lawsuit against the fire department for not hiring her as a paramedic
A man was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted murder; the burned man remains in the hospital
Jurors have been unable to reach a decision on whether the Dodgers should be held responsible after two men brutally beat the paramedic on Opening Day 2011
Chris and Kelly also talk about a Texas EMS agency that’s pushing back on fire-based service
Dash-cam footage showed the driver struggling to stay awake and appearing to nod off
The teen failed to stop at an intersection and ran into the side of the ambulance, which “failed to exercise care to avoid colliding with a person riding a bicycle”
440 Louisiana residents filed claims that they were overcharged by Acadian Ambulance for services sometime in the last two decades
The lawsuit alleges Kansas City, Mo. officials refused overtime compensation to EMS professionals that went through a firefighting training course
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