Legal Aspects of EMS

(3 hours: Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic levels)

Purpose: To review and update the knowledge base of EMTs at all levels concerning the legal
aspects of EMS.

Goal: To review standard laws and policies, and define and understand all new laws and policies
regarding legal issues of this profession.

Objectives:

To understand the basis of consent

To understand mandated reporting of laws
To review operations of emergency vehicles
To understand the legalities of the crime scene.
To review and understand negligence and malpractice
To gain insight into the Homestead Act and how it works
Good Samaritan Laws and how they apply to EMTs

I.Introduction (5 minutes)
II.Legal Principles (10 minutes)

A.Civil law
B.Criminal law
II.Operation of Emergency Vehicles (10 minutes)

A.General laws

1. Fire engines
2. Police vehicles
3. Ambulances
II.Child Abuse (15 minutes)

1.Mandated reporting

1. When to report
2. Where to report
3. How to report
2.Consequences of failing to report
II.Elderly Abuse (15 minutes)

1.Mandated reporting

1. When to report
2. Where to report
3. How to report
 2.Consequences of failing to report
II.Patient Confidentiality (20 minutes)

1.When it attaches
2.When it protects
II.Consent (20 minutes)

1.Actual
2.Implied
3.Mentally ill
4.Minor's

1. Emancipation and its effect on consent

II.Negligence (15 minutes)

1.Duty to act
2.Breech of duty
3.Causation
II.Abandonment of Patient (10 minutes)
III.Right to Die (15 minutes)

1.Living wills
2.DNRs
3.Health Care Proxy
II.Specific Crimes Encountered by the EMT (10 minutes)
III.Assault on an EMT (10 minutes)
IV.Good Samaritan Laws (10 minutes)
V.Summary (10 minutes)
VI.Questions and Answers (5 minutes)