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.
“EMS providers are effectively being required to intervene and transport persons merely because they are homeless and apparently mentally ill”
Join Fitch & Associates, EMS1 and EMS Survey Team to examine the perceptions and experiences of EMS providers across the country
How solving peoples’ problems creates value in community building
The human body is an ideal training tool, but fire/EMS training protocols and the law must be followed
Police are searching for a man who stole a Yazoo County dispatcher’s purse while she was on the job
Though an investigation said 11 department members admitted to intubating a deceased patient, only nine of them were actually credentialed healthcare providers
Embrace change, empower leaders and remove cancer are three factors to evolve an EMS agency and avoid the pitfalls of stagnation
Involuntary manslaughter charges were filed against police Sgt. Ronald Buckley and paramedics Matt Dicosola and Leah Maynard in the death of inmate William Marshall
Detroit EMT Charlene Kinnard was treating an elderly woman with breathing issues when a thief stole her belongings out of the ambulance
“If the patient is deceased at the scene, it becomes a law enforcement issue,” Whatcom County Fire District 14 Chief Jerry DeBruin said
An organization’s leadership culture may explain the stark difference in opinion between providers and leaders on issues of patient and provider safety
A 10-week investigation into the actions of four paramedics who responded to a medical call involving a stroke patient who later died
Witnesses told investigators that “tube checks” on deceased patients were “a widespread prior practice of paramedics” of the Bellingham Fire Department
Officials said several department members practiced multiple intubations on a body that was awaiting transport to a funeral home
The city of Sun Prairie settled with paramedics John Uebelacker and Matthew Schaller who were cleared of wrongdoing after being fired in 2014 over the care of a patient
Effective fire and paramedic chiefs and officers reflect on the past to validate the present and chart the future
Christy Woods allegedly stole the ambulance while paramedics performed CPR on an unconscious woman and rammed a police cruiser off the freeway at 85 mph
Police originally said the ambulance had its lights and sirens on when it ran through a red light and hit another vehicle, but are now reassessing what occurred
Officials are subpoenaing all records from the several different departments as part of their investigation into the misuse of $8.2 million
Johnathan Harris allegedly grabbed the paramedic inappropriately while masturbating, and later grabbed her by the throat when she tried to restrain him
Officials voted to investigate a pattern of police officers urging paramedics to sedate people with ketamine during emergency calls
The unnamed paramedic was suspended for failing to take off his uniform and dancing at the Defqon 1 music festival in Sydney, Australia
The SUV, which contained medical equipment worth $30,000, was stolen from a 7-Eleven while the paramedic was inside the store
Pinnacle program co-chair, Jay Fitch, recounts the highlights from this year’s leadership forum
Hussain Maqubool allegedly hit an EMT in the back of an ambulance after calling 911 and saying he was drunk
Lawyer requests for medical records are not limited by HIPAA cost-based fees
Proposition 11 asks voters to give private ambulance companies the power to keep their workers on duty during meal and rest breaks
The $18.75 million lawsuit contends the Department of Human Services and the baby’s pediatrician failed to protect him and prevent him from dying
Expert witness commentary on the recent Paramedics Plus litigation, in which the government alleged violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute
Use these actions to positively improve employee engagement and satisfaction by demonstrating value and appreciation
Michael Paul was arrested after stealing an ambulance from a hospital because he “needed” a ride home after being discharged
Police officers interacting with James W. Perry at the scene of a call allegedly noticed signs of impairment and investigated further
Jem Ibrahimov’s attorney is arguing that he should not face stiff bail because “he’s an artist” who “worked as a painter”
