Good Samaritan Law?

I think the law requires a person to render assistance as long as it is safe to do so. You're not expected to take on an armed suspect, just to call the authorities, perform first aid, etc.

kmsimmons wrote in message ...

And keep in mind, if you watch closely, Jerry saw the robbery and what does he do? He makes a call alright, to NBC to complain about the jet.

Brad

On Sun, 17 May 1998 01:32:08 -0400, "Brad Wardell" wrote:

Which by the way suggests a candidate for funniest line: Jackie Chiles statement that "Nobody has to help anybody, that's what America is about!" Unlike the rest of the show, I think I did laugh at that....the first time.

And who is he supposed to call? You think he knew the number of the Latham police department? 911 doesn't work in those little towns and in fact I dont think it works on a cell phone anyway does it? Calling the operator wouldn't work on a cell phone either I don't think........

*************************************
"The most important shift of your
life is your next one......"

In article , Rick Streeter wrote:

Rick, 911 does work in those little towns. And 911 works on cell phones -- in fact, by law, 911 calls are free. Typically you're connected to the Highway Patrol, but they connect you to the agency that can help you.

Frank

[email] wrote:

Someone with more knowledge of cell phones may know the details. But I am aware that there IS a problem using 911 on a cell phone if you are not in your normal dialing area. I believe he would have connected to a Manhatten 911 not a local 911. This has caused a lot of confusion and delays in emergency service. Anyone know the actual details of this problem?

In article , "The News Guy(Mike)" wrote:

Mike, I have called 911 on my cell phone well outside my local area and it does work. Typically you get connected to the Highway Patrol, and they connect you to the agency you need. "A lot of confusion and delays" ?? Well, it's true that you get quicker connection from a regular phone, but by gosh dialing 911 on a cell phone does get you in touch with emergency services. And that's a lot helpful than sitting around videotaping someone who's being robbed. The "confusion" you may have heard about is that the caller on a cell phone has to tell the emergency services WHERE they are; typically regular phone calls to 911 automatically display this info at the 911 switchboard. Within a few years cell companies will be using technology to triangulate the origin of a 911 cell phone call.

Frank

But where were you? I can go outside of my "local area" and make a call. My phone will flash "ROAM". About a month ago I drove from Kansas City to near Chicago. Most of the way I could get some kind of signal. About 40 miles east of Kansas City, though, there was nothing for about 20 miles. Then I had a fair to good signal the rest of the way. If I head south about 50 miles, there is nothing, though it may be a different system that my phone couldn't hit yet. Or maybe I didn't have roam switched on.

In article ,

I was well outside my local area in a "roam" area.

Obviously if you are in an area with no coverage, you can't make ANY call.

But if you are outside your local area, in almost all parts of the country, and dial '911,' you will be connected to emergency services.

Frank

[email] wrote:

You can always dial "O" and have the operator connect you with the appropriate emergency service.

But on a cell phone, if you dial 0 when you aren't in your local calling area, where does it go??? I have no idea......

In article , Rick Streeter wrote:

Rick, read our lips: if you dial 911 on a cell phone, you will be connected to local emergency services.

So they gang COULD HAVE used their cell phone to call the cops.

Frank

Why did they just stand there? I mean, the fat guy obviously ran for help, to a phone to call the police, and the Gang of Four just stood there? Why weren't they long gone to get lunch? Either that, or the police guy was nearby, but couldn't get there in time to stop the bad guy. If that was the case, then why wasn't he chasing the bad guy instead of hassling Jerome and Co.? They just stood there watching. . .NOTHING. Now it all makes sense.

In article ,

BAD WRITING !! :-)

Advice from every law enforcement agency I've heard of says: Don't resist if your car is being stolen. You can get killed -- the carjacker is quite possibly high, already wanted by the police, and well-armed. It would have been STUPID for the gang to try to interfere in that situation.

Frank

[email] wrote:

Yeah, I think we only have to wait a while to read about a case that's bound to happen. ...Some poor slob will rush in and assist a carjack victim and get hurt in the process. What will he do? Sue. NBC, SONY, Seinfeld, etc...And in America he'll win. It would be really funny if he turns out to be Puerto Rican. :-)

In article , "The News Guy(Mike)" wrote:

Mike, I hadn't thought of that but, by gosh, you're right.

There are probably a lot of people who really think they may go to prison if they don't challenge armed robbers.

It was on TV, after all.

Here's an excerpt from a recent issue of the newsletter of the Society of Travel Writers: "I had someone who wanted to stay at the Bob Newhart Inn in Connecticut. When I explained that the inn was fictional, the customer became very irate and insisted: 'I know it's real. I see them check in every week!'"

Frank

[email] wrote:

"The News Guy(Mike)" wrote:

Mike, I hadn't thought of that but, by gosh, you're right.<<<

Oh, get real and give the legal system a deserved break. No one in such a situation would have standing, or a cause of action, to sue "NBC, SONY, Seinfeld, etc..." And even if a trial court erred and allowed for such a case to go to trial, and the plaintiff won, it would be reversed upon appeal.

Good enough defense....lol

Travel Writers: "I had someone who wanted to stay at the Bob Newhart Inn in Connecticut. When I explained that the inn was fictional, the customer became very irate and insisted: 'I know it's real. I see them check in every week!'"<<<

Hey, it was the Stratford Inn, and it was located in Vermont. Perhaps this person needs redirection. :)

Duvelle

[email] wrote:

Unless this tiny town was not within transmitting range.  I was out in
the Everglades a few months ago and my cell phone did not work.
Couldn't dial a number, couldn't even get the Operator to place a call.
Nothing.
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         [email]  replace EYE with I
       (Hammer nail here--> <-- for a new monitor.)
SeinFAQ http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/7217/faq.html

In article , [email] wrote:

If I remember correctly, the gang made other cell phone calls from the town? That means the town had cell phone service.

Frank

<snip>

Wherever the local provider wants it to go.

[email] wrote:

I don't know about the fictional Latham Mass but it doesn't work in all little towns. If you go to where I'm from and dial 911 you'll get the ol ....beep beep beep...the number you have dialed is invalid, please consult the directory and try your call again. And a cell phone outside it's local calling area will go nuts if you dial 911...........

In article ,

Rick, there may be SOME small towns without 911 -- it is pretty much a national number, though.

If you dial 911 from a cell phone from ANY area, you will get local emergency services. Typically you'll get the highway patrol, and they'll connect you to whichever service you need. And yes, I have tried it well outside my local calling area, and it DOES work.

Frank

On Sun, 17 May 1998 04:52:56 GMT, [email] (RJ) wrote:

What people said in the Diana case was that they should have done something to determine her condition and made some effort to get help there sooner. No one expected them to minister to her medically, since that would be dangerous to anyone with a chance to survive.

Likewise, no one has to risk their life under good samaritan to save someone else's. I think its the Kitty Genovese case situation they want to avoid, where no one tried to contact law enforcement or call an ambulance but just watched her bleed and die. I think the reason that happened was the mistaken notion that sharing her "problem" meant endangering themselves. I doubt there would have been a national uproar if every SAFE measure had been taken and she still died.

By the way.....an attorney once told me that if I ever DID start to personally try to save someone, I'd better be sure I could succeed or I might find myself in legal trouble. In short, he was saying "Don't be a hero, the law doesnt really appreciate it". Don't create danger by any half-hearted rescue attempt. Which is one more good reason to call emergency personnel of the appropriate type, rather than trying to substitute for them.

Just to let you know, they were not in France when they were arrested, they were in Mass. So I do not know about whatthe law is in France, but that is what the show said that the law was in Mass. They said you had to help if it was safe to do so

Robin

In article ,

Robin, there is no such "Seinfeld" law anywhere in the U.S.

Frank

In article , [email] wrote:

It's not really that bad. If you try to help someone, don't do anything stupid, and don't prevent others from helping.

Frank

[email] wrote:

Don't even try. Really. A few years ago, an old woman collapsed in a shopping mall here in South Florida. A REGISTERED NURSE gave her CPR until paramedics could arrive. The woman diad and the family sued the nurse and won.

And this was a licensed nurse, not some layman who happened to pass by.

In article , [email] wrote:

Dave, I attach the current Florida Good Samaritan law below my signature. It now provides immunity from suit from anyone who aids in an emergency from negligence liability except for "reckless disregard." I don't doubt that you read such an article. What I do doubt is that the media got the story right. If you ever have the chance to read a media story about a situation you PERSONALLY know, you may well be amazed at the media's inaccuracy. I know of situations where the media omits important facts, gets the facts wrong, or even gets the facts backwards -- not to mention their tendency to pick the one aberration and imply that it's a common event. I'm referring to stuff like "man sentenced to 5 years prison for stealing $5," and when you get the details it turns out it was an armed robbery. The story you quote is either incorrect, incomplete, outdated, or an aberration.

Frank

Florida Statutes 768.13 Good Samaritan Act; Immunity From Civil Liability

(1) This act shall be known and cited as the "Good Samaritan Act." (2) (a) Any person, including those licensed to practice medicine, who gratuitously and in good faith renders emergency care or treatment ... at the scene of an emergency outside of a hospital, doctor's office, or other place having proper medical equipment, without objection of the injured victim or victims thereof, shall not be held liable for any civil damages as a result of such care or treatment or as a result of any act or failure to act in providing or arranging further medical treatment where the person acts as an ordinary reasonably p> <input type=