The Legal Liability of the Good Samaritan Doctor

When the call: “Is there a doctor in the house?” goes out, does a doctor (or nurse or paramedic) who is enjoying a meal in a restaurant or who is travelling on a plane, have to step forward and do what he or she can? If he or she does not step forward, can they be held liable? If they do come forward and the treatment rendered is ineffective or complications arise, will liability be incurred? These are very real questions for the Good Samaritan doctor. They touch on legal and ethical issues potentially affecting all healthcare providers.

Modern Medicine – Oct/Nov 2018