Brice -

just for so, the Good Samaritan response has long been a serious risk for
people in the medical profession.  Thanks to our fondness for the large
legal settlement, those people are and have been strongly constrained from
diving in (sometimes quite literally) to a life-saving situation.

I well remember when my family was returning from a trip and encountered
flashing lights and sirens next to the Delaware Canal.  The guard rail was
taken out, and a car had gone into the water.  My father, fearless
physician that he was, was out of the car before it had stopped rolling
(nearly causing his own accident, but that's another story), and dove into
the canal to assist.

As it turned out, the occupant had already been retrieved, and was not in
grave need.  Dad slogged out (anyone familiar with the Delaware Canal can
attest to the mud he was wearing), and went to administer whatever
immediate assistance he could - he was WARNED OFF!  The police officer told
him that if he volunteered to help, as a professional, he would be held
liable for ANY problems!  Let the ambulance personnel (presuming they ever
arrived) do what they were paid to do.

Oh, and just for so - this occurred more than 40 YEARS ago!

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *