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 EMS Leadership Round Table tackles community messaging, public health funding and caring for the caregivers at the Virtual Pinnacle Leadership Summit
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EMS leaders reflect on the legacy of pioneer Jack Stout, who promoted system status management and high-performance EMS to shape modern prehospital care
Kanawha County EMT Alyssa Middleton pleaded not guilty to three felony charges in the death of John Lucas, who authorities say was struck and dragged by an ambulance outside an Elkview station
An arbitrator found the city mishandled the investigation and fired the workers over a rule that didn’t exist
Three former Marion County firefighters admitted to attacking a rookie firefighter will serve probation under a plea deal
My legal career is predicated on defending providers who find themselves on the wrong end of the law because of the difficult judgement calls in the heat of a moment. This is not that scenario.
Martin Volunteer Fire Department officials said a firefighter violated department policy and patient privacy rules by recording at an injury crash
The complaint alleges Onslow County failed to properly investigate or secure the EMT’s phone after learning she photographed a critically injured patient who later died
The Broward County Fire Rescue lieutenant was arrested and fired after deputies said he assaulted a 65-year-old man during a medical call
A Manitoba disciplinary panel reprimanded a Winnipeg paramedic after finding antisemitic social media posts made after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack amounted to professional misconduct
Brian Thomas agreed to pay the county $1, drop his counterclaim and make several admissions, ending a legal dispute over his 2024 resignation
A lawsuit claims Henderson firefighters failed to preserve and deliver a severed finger to hospital staff, leaving doctors unable to reattach it after more than 12 hours without proper care
EMS leaders set the tone for nurturing employees and moving organizations forward with integrity
Use a distracted driving policy to educate personnel on the risks of distracted driving and to set clear expectations for in-vehicle behavior
An Akron paramedic was punched in the face during a call when family members objected to a patient not being taken to the hospital
What the rule changes mean for EMS and how agencies can reduce risk, lighten administrative burden and support better patient care
After FDNY EMS unions warned that low pay could drive out 1/3 of the EMS workforce, EMS1 readers said the same problems keep coming up: pay, cost of living, public perception and a system that still undervalues EMS
A vote on the information request is postponed as Worcester officials call for broader discussion, amid lawsuit alleging the city’s 911 system improperly sends armed officers to behavioral health emergencies
Virginia’s EMS director delivers a candid lesson in rebuilding trust, governance and integrity after systemic failure
In Worcester, a lawsuit and council review are raising questions about police-led responses to mental health emergencies
Use the habit loop to set goals in motion and achieve success
The risk management expert delivers commonsense wisdom, including three actions he would take if he were in charge
Investigators say an Islamorada firefighter/paramedic took a partially used vial after a call and falsified records
A federal judge dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging Bristol responders used excessive force and denied care to a 23-year-old during a medical emergency in 2017
EMS doesn’t choose people — it prioritizes patients based on risk, access and the realities of an unstable scene
Advocates say Worcester’s dispatch model sends armed officers instead of clinicians, raising safety concerns and questions about EMS system design
A Bridgeport investigation found a gunshot victim waited about 10 extra minutes for EMS transport after the first ambulance took an officer experiencing anxiety from the scene
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