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.
Attorney and volunteer firefighter Brad Pinsky explains qualified immunity protections and whether firefighters and medics could be sued as individuals
Balancing “I say, you do” with empathy and stewardship
Inside our department’s process to restructure and rebrand to better reflect our service to the community
The 18-year-old was giving exams at a medical clinic; he had a five-star ranking on healthgrades.com
The co-founder of EMS1 shares his concern for a system addicted to the status quo and outlines a path to great medicine
The company said Medical Mutual was “systematically and unilaterally” underpaying for air transport services
Jullette Saussy clarified her complaints against the department and compared the D.C. systems with others from around the country
Fire Chief George Sheets said the firehouse is not a place for reckless “Animal House” behavior
The paramedic allegedly diverted narcotics and refilled the vials with saline; a criminal investigation is underway
The Stanford EMS providers were attacked after finding an active burglary underway at their station
Two more paramedics were robbed at gunpoint as they were treating a patient
Mark Bocian worked for the city for over 40 years and is one of 3 remaining employees who started with the Pittsburgh EMS upon its 1975 inception
City officials stand with the fire chief and the pace of reforms to training, staffing and bringing in private ambulances
Knowing when to use these management tools to identify and reduce at-risk work behaviors is critical to being a successful EMS leader
The ambulance was stolen from a Houston fire station near midnight; the woman said she was fleeing an abusive boyfriend
Every EMS agency can innovatively use their assets for more than saving lives while making a profound difference for patients and families
The growing number of limited English speakers raises the urgency for managers and chiefs to have a solid plan for communicating with them in times of need
What is the clinical obligation vs. legal obligation when the standard of care changes for cardiac arrest treatment?
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
