{"":null}
Emergency Law Inventory | Full Law Text

Law Number

NY CLS Educ 6705-a

Summary Title

Good Samaritan Law: Veterinarian

Summary

A licensed veterinarian who, voluntarily and without compensation, is at an emergency without proper or necessary medical equipment will not be held legally responsible for providing or failing to provide emergency care or first aid to an animal. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. This does not provide legal protection in non-emergency situations.

Full Title

Emergency Veterinarian Service; Limited Liability

Full Text

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general, special or local law, any licensed veterinarian who voluntarily, and without the expectation of monetary compensation, renders first aid or emergency treatment to an animal that is ill or injured at the scene of an accident or other emergency, outside of an animal hospital, clinic, veterinarian’s office or other place having proper and necessary equipment for the practice of veterinary medicine, shall not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such animal or for damages for the death of such animal alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such first aid or emergency treatment unless it is established that such injuries were or such death was caused by gross negligence on the part of such veterinarian. Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to relieve a licensed veterinarian from liability for damages for injuries or death caused by an act or omission on the part of a veterinarian while rendering professional services in the normal and ordinary course of his or her business.

Save as PDF Back to Laws