In a shocking ruling last Thursday, the California Supreme Court decided that a woman who helped her friend out of a car wreck was liable to face a lawsuit as she was not a qualified medical professional. The court ruled that good Samaritans who unintentionally harm people they are trying to help, can be sued.
This decision contradicts the state's 1980 Health and Safety code that states that 'no person, who in good faith, and not for compensation, renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency, shall be liable for any civil damages resulting from any act or omission.'
Lisa Torti helped her co-worker Alexandra Van Horn out of a car wreck in 2004. As a result of the accident Van Horn became a paraplegic. Now, Van Horn alleges that Torti's actions at the scene of the accident, contributed to her injuries as she provided non-medical assistance. Van Horn also sued the driver of the car she was riding in, Anthony Glen Watson.
To read more about the case click here.
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