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Emergency Law Inventory | Full Law Text

Law Number

N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-215.104

Summary Title

Liability: Hazardous Materials Volunteer

Summary

An individual, who, without compensation, provides assistance or advice during or following an actual or imminent discharge of hazardous materials, will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm. They can be held legally responsible for causing the discharge.

Full Title

Limited liability for volunteers in hazardous material abatement

Full Text

Any person who provides assistance or advice in mitigating or attempting to mitigate the effects of an actual or threatened discharge of hazardous materials, or in preventing, cleaning up, or disposing of or in attempting to prevent, clean up or dispose of any such discharge, when the reasonably apparent circumstances indicate the need for prompt decisions and action, shall not be subject to civil liabilities of any type, unless: (1) Prior to providing assistance or advice in mitigating or attempting to mitigate the effects of an actual or threatened discharge or in preventing, cleaning up, or disposal of or in attempting to prevent cleanup or disposal of any such discharge, he had incurred liability for the actual or threatened discharge; (2) He receives compensation other than reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses for his services in rendering assistance or advice, except that an individual receiving compensation for employment from his regular employer for services performed in preventing, cleaning up, or disposing of or in attempting to prevent, clean up or dispose of a discharge shall not be deemed to have received compensation if his employer is entitled to the protection afforded by this Part; or (3) His act or omission led to damages resulting from his gross negligence, or from his reckless, wanton, or intentional misconduct. The limited immunity provided herein shall not be applicable to any act or omission or occurrence involving the operation of a motor vehicle. The limited immunity provided herein is waived to the extent of any indemnification by insurance for damages caused by such volunteer.

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