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.
Employment lawyer Scott Moore Esq., addresses frequently asked questions
Moore and Rob Lawrence break down employer mandates and exemptions for mask wearing and vaccination
A 3-step guide to disciplinary action that demonstrates good faith, while putting the responsibility for their actions on employees
Local police are upset that they were denied access to information about the case; county police are investigating the theft charges
Officials are looking into whether or not firefighters got into a scuffle before people injured in a rollover were treated
The suspended Nova Scotia medic allegedly assaulted six female patients
Enterovirus 68, which causes polio-like symptoms, was detected in four out of eight of the sick children; health officials are seeking more information after reports of the virus in 277 people in 40 states
Delayed-onset PTSD can take years to surface, so having a deadline for filing a claim seems wrong
The fire was contained to an upstairs bedroom, where they were found unresponsive; Jon Sheridan had a role on Gov. Chris Christie’s transition team
The 21-year veteran was arrested on a child sex crime warrant for a Sept. 12 incident in Hollywood; he’s been suspended without pay for 30 days pending charges
She became too ill to work after an accident where she was first on the scene after an ambulance plunged over a cliff and sank to the bottom of a lake
Two responding EMTs treated the patient while her partner pilfered the front seat of the ambulance
Firefighters wrote a letter to the mayor citing a grave crisis in direction and leadership
Leadership doesn’t have to come from the top, and San Francisco’s EMS shortage is a chance for rank-and-file leadership to advocate for major changes
The more complex the skill, the more attention it requires; so how do we get work done and still maintain awareness of the whole scene?
The crash is under investigation, but an inattentive driver may be the cause
Paid EMS agencies have replaced fading volunteers, and without strong leadership an agency can bleed money like a patient in hemorrhagic shock
The unknown suspects drove the vehicle from the scene before disappearing with the keys
The baby suffered severe brain injuries when she was shaken by her father; the baby can’t see or hear, must be fed through a tube and suffers severe ongoing health problems
Stephen J. Wieland Sr., 61, has been charged with grand larceny and scheming to defraud; he stole $1,400 worth of gas
Our procedures for potential disasters are often too slow, but a rapid response based on anticipated outcomes can change that
Collaborative leaders use “persuasion, technical competence, relationship skills and political smarts” to get to the desired goal
Medic Tyler Hammond sued the mayor, saying he was wrongly accused of running a satirical Facebook page
He received money for two trucks and equipment, but when they didn’t show up police traced the funds back to his account
One of the most debilitating characteristics of an underachieving leader is to be a micro manager; instead hire the right kind of people who can help you lead
Ray Schenewerk died last December, but his wife continued to get billed for the ambulance rides totaling about $800
The federal government can honor the responders killed on 9/11 by reauthorizing compensation for those who became ill after working at ground zero
She admitted she stole the card that fell out of the purse of a woman involved in a car accident, and tried to use it at a convenience store
If we can’t afford two providers in the back of every ambulance on every call, maybe it’s time for video surveillance in the event of patient care lawsuits
The twin engine was filled with jet fuel instead of aviation gasoline; a report doesn’t say if this contributed to the crash that killed a paramedic, pilot, nurse and patient on board
He would become close to his victims and assault them when they were drunk and vulnerable; one of the victims was an EMS colleague
MOST POPULAR
- Colo. ends ‘crisis’ care that gave cover to hospitals, EMS stretched by COVID
- Volusia EMS hires nurse to stay at ED to speed up patient transfers
- Mass. Office of EMS investigates ambulance service after death of 2-year-old girl
- Pa. state EMS medical director receives NAEMT Lifetime Achievement Award
- Not just for physicians: Quality improvement and safety