Legal Issues
The legal issues topic contains news and information about legal issues affecting EMS personnel, agencies or departments. Find the latest news from personnel misconduct, to disciplinary and harassment cases, to malpractice lawsuits, as well as advice to prevent legal action with EMS training, documentation and management.
Know the newest fire- and EMS-related laws
The dos and don’ts of operating in an era where everyone has a camera on you
Lessons from a Florida chief’s message to grieving members
A notice has been filed indicating that the man suspected in the deaths of a Florence County paramedic and a New Mexico State Police officer may change his plea
Matthew Plote, a former firefighter-EMT, was convicted of strangling EMT Melissa Lamesch, who was days away from giving birth, and setting her home on fire
The decision reinstates plea deals for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two others involved in the Sept. 11 terror attacks, sparing them the death penalty
A new law to keep bystanders from interfering with first responders goes into effect in 2025
Two Flat Rock EMTs were immediately fired after an investigation found they did not contact medical control due to the patient’s disorientation
The state attorney general is seeking to recoup public funds stolen by the former president of New Chapel EMS
In this video, risk management expert Gordon Graham explains how making a point to actively listen can assist first responders while on scene
The Hillsborough County medic was suspended in 2019 despite showing his valid medical marijuana card after failing a random drug test
Syracuse Officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Lt. Michael Hoosock were killed in a shooting during which the two agencies were unable to get on the same radio channel
The new Bernalillo County policy aims to support first responders dealing with trauma, allowing them to “find the best alternative ... best medicine for them”
Harris County ESD11 Mobile Healthcare developed 10 commandments to set initial expectations while onboarding 200 paramedics
The 9th annual What Paramedics Want survey wants to hear from medical first responders, EMTs and paramedics about their career satisfaction, health and wellness
Insights, challenges and future directions: Highlighting the most compelling discussions that shaped EMS this year
Several ambulance associations argued that the rule posed a threat to the financial viability of ambulance services, particularly in rural areas
Earlier, the Toms River mayor had directed dispatchers to stop sending calls to Silverton EMS due to alleged financial irregularities
Two of the five firearms purchased were used to shoot Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Finseth
Understanding the Employee Value Proposition is the key to attracting, engaging and retaining good people for your EMS organization
Combat staffing shortages, rising operational costs and increasingly complex reporting standards
How clinical variation, management visibility and unintentional overtime impact provider fatigue, depersonalization
After the woman was arrested for starting a fire at MercyOne Genesis Medical Center, she attempted to ignite another fire while in the back of a Davenport police cruiser
During a 2019 wellness check transport, the woman allegedly stabbed an EMT seven times and pepper-sprayed an EMT driving the ambulance when he stopped the rig
The lawsuit argues that Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center failed to enforce violence and weapons policies despite staff complaints about earlier threats
The former Thomaston chief entered an Alford plea in a felony sex crime case involving a 14-year-old girl, stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in 2003
Suspect physical abuse of a child when there is a mismatch between the reported mechanism of injury, patient history and the physical exam findings
The investigation examines claims of misconduct and potential exchange of benefits, such as free training, as Wallingford scrutinizes its ties with New Britain officials
The accused was sentenced to three years of probation and will be required to register as a sex offender
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