The Pros And Cons Of Good Samaritan Laws

The article from Newsweek, A Doctors Dilemma, describes a story which indicates a very clear sign of how we as a society, have become aware of the possible negative outcomes from being a good Samaritan and helping others in need. “Good Samaritan laws generally provide basic legal protection for those who assist a person who is injured or in danger. In essence, these laws protect the “Good Samaritan” from liability if unintended consequences result from their assistance” (Morris). The majority of people want to help others, however in this day and age we must first look at the situation from a legal standpoint and know what the law is in the state a person resides in, when contemplating performing a good Samaritan act. This is evident from the young doctor’s hesitancy to help the victim in the story whom he knew was in dire need of medical attention. In the Newsweek article, the doctor immediately thought to help the man who had sustained life threatening injuries at the scene of an automobile accident. The doctor knew if he did not help the victim right away he would probably die before any medical help arrived. Not only did he consider the possibility of being sued, he also knew that if he transported the man who sustained life threatening injuries, he could cause more trauma
We are left to assume the laws in this state did not consider the doctor a typical Samaritan, because since the accident and after speaking with one of his professors, the doctor decided that he would just “drive on” anytime there was an emergency situation that wasn’t in the hospital (Dillard). This was disheartening to say the least, but it was not a surprise. It is sad when a doctor cannot risk his career to provide medica attention because of the laws in a state that will not protect him from a