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.
When lots of red flags are waving, assess the patient, provide compassionate care and always take “I can’t breathe” seriously
“When the prosecutor sees and hears compassion, competence and professionalism, even in the face of significant errors being made, it becomes much harder to justify filing criminal charges”
Why right-sizing EMS response is crucial to increasing pay and improving work-life balance
A police investigation fully cleared EMS of Georgia of any wrongdoing after a woman accused the agency of a hit-and-run
A Hillsborough County Administrator said the paramedics violated three areas of standard procedure
Police sergeant challenges and educates EMS leaders to do more to reduce the risk and occurrence of sexual harassment for all employees
NFPA 3000 is a framework for preparing EMS agencies, fire departments, other responders and communities for active shooter incident response and recovery
Jay Fitch, Ph.D., tells Pinnacle leaders that collaboration with colleagues and frenemies is critical to greater operational success
Todd Shell allegedly stole an ambulance from a hospital and led police on a chase after being treated for a heat-related issue
Doctors, bioethicists and academics signed onto a federal complaint alleging Hennepin Healthcare conducted high-risk ketamine research on unwitting participants
John O’Leary, a survivor of 100 percent TBSA burn as a child, delivered an inspiring opening keynote to Pinnacle EMS conference attendees
The Orland Park Fire Protection District and 13 other municipalities are suing several manufacturers, distributors and doctors in state court
Joshua Bragg is back in custody after he unbuckled himself from a cot and jumped out of the back of an ambulance while on medical furlough
The woman allegedly first threw a cinder block at an EMT, but missed him and instead hit the ambulance, breaking the window
County Ambulance had been accused of submitting false claims to Medicare and MaineCare
CPS partners with EMS industry leaders to benchmark EMS safety culture at the agency level
Rory Barros spent four months in the hospital, survived 16 surgeries and had his leg amputated after being hit
Jason Howard confessed to police he took the drugs and has been charged with felony drug possession and misdemeanor theft
The three crew members on board were injured in the July 7 crash, as the helicopter landed upright along Interstate 57
Officials said the Delran Emergency Squad was shut down because its chief, Donald Horner, tried to hinder an investigation and lacks certification
Liberty Ambulance Services reached a settlement in the investigation, resolving claims that they up-coded life support services from “basic” to “advanced”
Hobart Fire Department paramedic Ron Reed Jr. said he was trying to intubate a man who was suffering an overdose when the man coughed in his face
Records showed that dozens of Medic ambulances in Charlotte had engine-related issues while responding to calls and transporting patients
The pilot was transporting a paramedic, a flight nurse and a patient from St. Mary’s Medical Center to Advocate Christ Medical Center when the crash occurred
The EMS leader’s task is to recognize and reduce negative impacts of bias as much as possible
Changing a fragmented industry from the bottom up
The two Australian paramedics refused to take on an “extensive transfer” because they were concerned about their level of exhaustion
Susan James filed a lawsuit against Dr. Ajendra Sohal, who recanted a statement that she falsified his signature on a disability form
The EMT, who was reportedly reassigned to desk duty as a result of her injuries, has hired a personal injury lawyer
Michael Zunk, who allegedly stole an ambulance from an emergency room, said there was a “hit out on him”
The comments were made in reference to a photo of a Native American teen wearing a T-shirt with the wording “No one is illegal on stolen land”
The city’s lawsuit takes aim at more than a dozen firms, arguing their actions to promote prescription opioids have caused an addiction crisis
Sharing data across EMS agencies is one of the most effective ways to combat the opioid crisis in communities
