Washington Good Samaritan Act

The Good Samaritan Act

4.24.3000

Persons rendering emergency care or transportation - Immunity from liability - Exclusion.

Any person, including but not limited to a volunteer provider of emergency or medical services, who without compensation or the expectation of compensation renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency or who participates in transporting, not for compensation, therefrom an injured person or persons for emergency medical treatment shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such emergency care or in transporting such persons, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or wilful or wanton misconduct. Any person rendering emergency care during the course of regular employment and receiving compensation or expecting to receive compensation for rendering such care is excluded from the protection of this subsection. [1985 c 443.19; 1975 c 58.1.]

(Severability - Effective date - 1985 c 443: See notes following RCS 7.69.010.)

4.24.310

Persons rendering emergency care or transportation - Definitions.

For the purposes of RCW 4.24.300 the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: (1) "Compensation" has its ordinary meaning but does not include nominal payments, reimbursement for expenses, or pension benefits.

(2) "Emergency Care" means care, first aid, treatment, or assistance rendered to the injured person in need of immediate medical attention and includes providing or arranging for further medical treatment or care for the injured person. Except with respect to the injured person or persons being transported for further medical treatment or care, the immunity granted by RCW 4.24.300 does not apply to the negligent operation of any motor vehicle.

(3) "Scene of an emergency" means the scene of an accident or other sudden or unexpected event or combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action other than in a hospital, doctor's office, or other place where qualified medical personnel practice or are employed.

[1985 c 443.20; 1975 c 58.2.; Severability - Effective date - 1985 c 443: See notes following RCW 7.69.010.]