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.
The public shouldn’t have to roll the dice about their emergency services, wondering who’s going to show up
Leaders discuss operational survival in the face of EMS challenges
The new Austin Travis County EMS chief offers tips for rising leaders
Michael John Harcharik stole and used a dead patient’s debit card to make several withdrawals and cash payments
The 60-year-old dispatcher was walking to work when she was approached from behind, punched in the face and thrown to the ground
Responders were inside a home providing medical aid when the ambulance was stolen
Security footage captured a suspect dragging the dispatcher after she got off a bus
This “it takes a public safety village” approach to officer training is successful and repeatable in any jurisdiction
Learn how one EMS agency improved EMS provider performance with an Olympic-themed competition
The train had erratically changed speeds in the three minutes before the crash, accelerating and decelerating between 2 and 10 mph
Continuing education is more than a requirement; it is a benefit that to help providers do their jobs better
Ensure your EMS billing is in compliance at the start of the calendar year or fiscal year with five important resolutions
In order to efficiently and effectively run an EMS system, leaders need to understand indicators of their organization’s health
Here are six immediate actions for EMS leaders to join the EMS 3.0 transformation
As EMS will always be the ultimate health care safety net, there are new and expanding opportunities as health care and EMS enter version 3.0
Follow the mantra “a patient isn’t dead unless they are warm and dead” based on assessment findings and knowing resuscitation contraindications
The wrongful death lawsuit alleges Rogers Helicopters operated and maintained their air ambulance with negligence
Family members of Laurelyn Wagner-Pitts, 60, said a dispatcher sent an ambulance to the wrong address
The family said the toddler suffered severe burns, because it took too long to remove a coin-sized battery that she swallowed
KXAN interview discussed the growing trend and importance of ambulance security nationwide
Steven Sampson, 41, was attacked by four suspects after he pulled over at an intersection to organize Christmas gifts
Crew members updated police with their location and other details as the incident unfolded
Lontavious Johnson, 32, and Andrew Desmond, 31, were charged with assault and battery against police officers in October
Joseph Alphonzo Heinze II, 33, was hired by the fire department in May and is now suspended without pay
Ashley Bermudez stayed on the line with a dispatcher as three men broke into her home
This issue explores efforts to improve ambulance safety, shining a light both on technological advances and ways to improve driver behavior
The lawsuit alleges the EMT and deputies used excessive force and failed to follow law enforcement and EMS guidelines that are meant to prevent in-custody deaths
Kenneth Golightly, 31, threatened ambulance crew members with a knife before stealing the ambulance
The records show drug wholesalers shipped ever-higher doses of the pills, even as the overdose death toll climbed
The victim was stabbed in the chest, back and face in a parking lot after he and his wife sought a ride home after a party
Paramedic Julie Moreland was charged with misdemeanor assault after confronting a co-worker
The patient became combative and grabbed a knife as firefighters attempted to treat him
Christopher Suprun stands by his claim that he was a volunteer firefighter who responded to the Pentagon attack
