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.
Establishing clear policies, protocols and building trust: PCHD EMS shares their body-worn cameras implementation journey
Learn more about the OIG Compliance Program guidance and the uptick in HIPAA-related enforcement activity and lawsuits
Is it the providers’ responsibility to stay until the patient can be located? If not, how long is long enough?
The Elijah McClain trial highlighted gaps in medical procedures that experts said must be addressed
Montville police charged PIO Steven Frischling with “unauthorized taking or transmission by first responders of images of crime or accident victims.”
City officials adopted a new policy following the death of a patient who fell next to a snowbank
While it can be useful and effective, social media is not always simple
The lawsuit states the two EMTs took the ambulance out of service for 29 minutes of the 38-minute total response time
The Rialto firefighters maintained they were strictly adhering to COVID protocols in the 2021 incident
Tampa Firefighter Andrew Dixon was at the center of allegations of racism in the department last year
Colorado Springs Paramedic Nicholas Fisher tackled Dizmang and placed him in a headlock
EMT Robert Molesk said he felt intimidated by Erie County deputies when treating Robert A. Metcalf Jr.
AMR officials claim San Bernardino County supervisors violated state law in awarding contract to lower-scoring CONFIRE
The authority of Maine EMS to require COVID-19 and flu vaccinations is challenged in the high court
Critical insights into the implications of recent court rulings on EMS practice and patient care
The medical director for the Middletown Division of Fire stated the paramedics “breached the standard of care and the breach caused” the death
Coroner’s staff arrived after the Springfield Township paramedics left the scene and found the woman trying to breathe
City Attorney Margaret Casey said medics spent less than 15 seconds assessing Whitfield Marshall Jr.
Lake County firefighters on two units nearest to the site of the Jan. 4 emergency failed to promptly alert dispatchers they were available to respond, investigation revealed
A New York man collapsed on a sidewalk after police ordered him to exit an ambulance where he is alleged to have assaulted an EMS provider
The public’s First Amendment right to film is strongest when it comes to filming governmental employees engaged in their public duties in public places
A 13-step action plan to provide compassionate and effective care while navigating the evolving legal landscape
The Fitch & Associates partners reflect on the past few decades and what’s ahead
Three takeaways from the conviction of Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics in the death of Elijah McClain
Former Sedgwick County 911 dispatchers identifed Director Elora Forshee’s leadership as “tyrannical,” “discriminatory”
A jury found Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec guilty of criminally negligent homicide for administering ketamine to McClain
In closing arguments, Colorado Solicitor General Shannon Stevenson said the Aurora paramedics did not properly assess McClain’s condition
Which event will have the biggest impact on EMS? Cast your vote
Prosecutors said the Aurora paramedics did not properly assess McClain and ultimately gave him a significant overdose of ketamine
Former Acadian Ambulance Paramedic Samrat Mukherjee was indicted for claiming to be a licensed medical doctor
Aurora paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Lt. Peter Cichuniec each face criminally negligent homicide and other charges
Focusing on observed behavior will help protect both the individuals needing assistance and the officers responding to the situation
The ambulance came to a stop on the lawn right in front of the entrance of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
