Colorado Good Samaritan Act

CRS title 13-21-108.

Persons rendering emergency assistance exempt from civil liability.

(1) Any person licensed as a physician and surgeon under the laws of the state of Colorado, or any other person, who in good faith renders emergency care or emergency assistance to a person not presently his patient without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident, including a health care institution as defined in section 13-64-202 (3), shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions made in good faith as a result of the rendering of such emergency care or emergency assistance during the emergency, unless the acts or omissions were grossly negligent or willful and wanton. This section shall not apply to any person who renders such emergency care or emergency assistance to a patient he is otherwise obligated to cover.

(2) Any person while acting as a volunteer member of a rescue unit, as defined in section 25-3.5-103 (11), C.R.S., notwithstanding the fact that such organization may recover actual costs incurred in the rendering of emergency care or assistance to a person, who in good faith renders emergency care or assistance without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith.

(3) Any person, including a licensed physician, surgeon, or other medical personnel, while acting as a volunteer member of a ski patrol or ski area rescue unit, notwithstanding the fact that such person may receive free skiing privileges or other benefits as a result of his volunteer status, who in good faith renders emergency care or assistance without other compensation at the place of an emergency or accident shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith.

13-64-202.

Definitions.

As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

1) "Economic loss" means pecuniary harm for which damages are recoverable under the laws of this state.

(2) "Future damages" means damages of any kind arising from personal injuries which the trier of fact finds will accrue after the damages findings are made.

(3) "Health care institution" means any licensed or certified hospital, health care facility, dispensary, or other institution for the treatment or care of the sick or injured.

(4) (a) "Health care professional" means any person licensed in this state or any other state to practice medicine, chiropractic, nursing, physical therapy, podiatry, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, or other healing arts. The term includes any professional corporation or other professional entity comprised of such health care providers as permitted by the laws of this state.

(b) The term does not include a registrant conducting unlicensed midwifery pursuant to article 37 of title 12, C.R.S., or any corporate or business organization or entity comprised of one or more of such registrants. This paragraph (b) is repealed, effective July 1, 1996.

(5) "Noneconomic loss" means nonpecuniary harm for which damages are recoverable under the laws of this state, but the term does not include punitive or exemplary damages.

(6) "Past damages" means damages that have accrued before the damages findings are made, including any punitive or exemplary damages allowed by the laws of this state.

(7) "Present value" means the amount as of a date certain of one or more sums payable in the future, discounted to the date certain. The discount is determined by a commercially reasonable rate that takes into account the facts and circumstances of each case at the time the judgment is entered.

(8) "Qualified insurer" means an insurance company licensed to do business in this state or any self-insurer, assignee, plan, or arrangement approved by the court.