#LegalAdvice #GoodSamaritanLaw #DrowningPrevention
Hey everyone, I recently experienced a really scary situation at the lake. While hanging out with friends, a child drowned, and I had to step in and perform CPR until he started breathing again. Now I’m wondering about potential legal repercussions. What do you think?
My question is: Should I take any steps to protect myself legally? I did everything that I could to save him, but he was underwater for a long time. Can I be held liable if he doesn’t survive?
Here are some possible solutions:
– Look into Washington state’s Good Samaritan Law 🏥
– Consider seeking legal advice for peace of mind 📞
– Document everything that happened for future reference 📝
What are your thoughts on this? Let’s discuss and share insights to help each other out!
You’re likely protected by Washington’s Good Samaritan laws.
[https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/2900/goodsam.pdf](https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/2900/goodsam.pdf)
Rescuing a drowning individual and performing CPR on them falls under the protection of the Good Samaritan Act in Washington state. Basically, the law is in place to protect people from criminal liability in the event that their assistance contributes to the person’s further injury or death. The motivation for having Good Samaritan laws on the books is not only to encourage people to help others when they’re in need, but to protect them from a civil lawsuit. Good Samaritan laws won’t always stop someone from filing a civil lawsuit against you, but when you know the limits of what you can and can’t do, it will make it harder for the other person to prevail in their lawsuit. See Revised Code of Washington (RCW 4.24.300).
You did a good thing that day. Responded to an emergency, performed CPR, and resuscitated him. Regardless of the outcome, you positioned him for the best chance for survival. You are a hero!
The Good Samaritan law will protect you unless there was some sort of act of negligence on your part. Based on your story I don’t see any issues.
The good Samaritan statutes impose a legal duty on rescuers of a party in a perilous situation to not leave said party in any worse condition than you found him in. In your case, you rescued the child who was at the bottom of the lake. So clearly you did not leave the child in any worse condition than he already was. However we live in a very litigious society and it wouldn’t surprise me if some selfish lawyer brought suit against you on behalf of the child’s parents for a frivolous claim. But if that happens turn the matter over to your homeowners insurance company who should provide a legal defense for you.
You did a good thing and many others have given great advice. I just want to impress upon you how important it is that you take care of yourself. You went through something traumatic
Research Good Samaritan law.
NAL but CPR certified.
You are protected under the Good Samaritan law. You did what you could, and didn’t go outside your training (aka excessive stuff like needle decompressions for example).
The only exception is if you’re an on duty EMT or lifeguard, but you didn’t say you are. And even then, you reacted as any lifeguard should.
You stepped in and did your part to do the best you can in a horrible situation.
Thats all you can do. I highly recommend speaking with a therapist if it starts to get to you.
Take some time to recover though, the adrenaline rush does knock you out for a bit..
You should speak with a therapist. This may or may not haunt you, but I’m leaning on the former since you appear to be traumatized by the outcome despite your best effort to save the child.
I know you asked for legal advice which I can’t offer. I just wanted to send a little love your way today. What you’ve been through is horrific and I hope you give yourself some space and grace to process this event.
Curlew Lake?
I don’t live in this territory; i is unable to assist you in your search for answers at this time.
No unlikely. Many jurisdictions have Good Samaritan laws to protect people in your situation from liability.
Good Samaritan laws protect you as long as you didn’t present yourself as something you’re not. So as long as you didn’t claim to be a doctor when you’re not, you’re legally safe.
Hey! Everyone already stated that you are protected with the Good Samaritan law, and you did the absolutely best thing you could have done in that situation. I just wanted to add that I hope you are doing okay. Having done CPR on countless children myself, I know how rough it can be mentally. Please feel free to reach out if you want someone to talk to.
I definitely think you are protected under the Good Samaritan law however please speak to a therapist. Coping with things like this will sneak up on you. Mental health is not something to mess with.
I don’t know anything about your liability but this is coming from a mother who lost a 7 year old in a van/bicycle accident. The parents may not get in touch with you. They may not even know how. but they will likely be always grateful to you for doing all you could. That you tried to save them would mean a lot to me as a parent.
I performed CPR on an acquaintance 15+ years ago and still suffer from the trauma as he did not survive. I sit quietly in the back of every CPR renewal class with tears streaming down my cheeks. As others have said, please take care of yourself. Nobody tells you what it is like for the person who always wonders if they could have done more or if their CPR was the highest quality they could give.
From a liability standpoint I don’t believe you are at risk from your efforts.