Law Number

Va. Code Ann. 8.01-225(B)

Summary Title

Liability: Physician

Summary

A licensed physician who, without compensation, serves as the medical director for an emergency medical services agency will not be held legally responsible for the care provided by the emergency medical services personnel. A licensed physician who, in good faith and without compensation, serves as the medical advisor for an E-911 system in Virginia and provides advice to the personnel will not be held legally responsible. A licensed physician who is authorized to direct emergency medical services over the phone or other device by the Virginia Board of Health and does so will not be held legally responsible. A licensed physician who, in good faith and without compensation, provides medical advice to the owner of an AED regarding its use will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm.

Full Title

Persons rendering emergency care, obstetrical services exempt from liability

Full Text

B. Any licensed physician serving without compensation as the operational medical director for an emergency medical services agency that holds a valid license as an emergency medical services agency issued by the Commissioner of Health shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission resulting from the rendering of emergency medical services in good faith by the personnel of such licensed agency unless such act or omission was the result of such physician's gross negligence or willful misconduct. . . . . Any licensed physician serving without compensation as a medical advisor to an E-911 system in the Commonwealth shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission resulting from rendering medical advice in good faith to establish protocols to be used by the personnel of the E-911 service, as defined in § 58.1-1730, when answering emergency calls unless such act or omission was the result of such physician's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Any licensed physician who directs the provision of emergency medical services, as authorized by the State Board of Health, through a communications device shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission resulting from the rendering of such emergency medical services unless such act or omission was the result of such physician's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Any licensed physician serving without compensation as a supervisor of an AED in the Commonwealth shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission resulting from rendering medical advice in good faith to the owner of the AED relating to personnel training, local emergency medical services coordination, protocol approval, AED deployment strategies, and equipment maintenance plans and records unless such act or omission was the result of such physician's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

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