Which law protects healthcare workers from liability in emergencies?

The Good Samaritan Law is designed to protect healthcare workers and other individuals who assist in emergencies from legal liability, provided they act in good faith and within the scope of their training. This law encourages bystanders, including trained medical professionals, to offer assistance in emergency situations without fear of being sued for unintended consequences.

For instance, if a healthcare worker provides CPR to a person in cardiac arrest and there are subsequent complications, the Good Samaritan Law would typically shield that worker from legal repercussions as long as they acted reasonably and without gross negligence. This encourages timely medical intervention in critical situations, ultimately helping to save lives.

In contrast, Informed Consent relates to the requirement of obtaining permission from a patient before undertaking medical procedures. A subpoena is a legal order to appear in court or produce evidence and does not pertain to emergency care. Liability refers to the legal responsibility for one’s actions, especially regarding negligence, and is a broader concept not specifically aimed at protecting emergency actions.