A brief primer on Good Samaritan law for health care professionals.
The Good Samaritan law is not found on the statute books, but has been a concept that courts have applied as public policy. However, this has recently changed in all the states and territories in Australia with the codification of Good Samaritan law. This paper is a timely reminder for health practitioners of the doctrine of the Good Samaritan, as well as the relative legal uncertainty of rescue at common law.
Gulam
Hyder
H
Wing Legal Office, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia. hyderg@yahoo.com
Devereux
John
J
D000533:Altruism; D001315:Australia; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D035501:Uncertainty