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Emergency Law Inventory | Full Law Text

Law Number

R.I. Gen. Laws 5-37-14

Summary Title

Good Samaritan Law: Physician

Summary

A physician, who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance in a non-medical setting, will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if they act with extreme carelessness or with intent to cause harm. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment.

Full Title

Exceptions to licensure requirement -- Immunity from liability

Full Text

No person licensed under this chapter, or members of the same professions licensed to practice in other states of the United States, who voluntarily and gratuitously and other than in the ordinary course of his or her employment or practice renders emergency medical assistance to a person in need of it, shall be liable for civil damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions by these persons in rendering emergency care that may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful, or wanton negligence, or when rendered at any hospital, doctors' offices, or clinic where these services are normally rendered.

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