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.
The founders of the Women in Emergency Services association discuss their mission
What first responders can learn about fatigue management from the U.S. Army’s doctrine on readiness
“There has never been a more crucial time to have a wingmate in EMS – a wingmate to watch your six and guide each other through the storm”
Records show the chief performed intubation and administered IVs, while unlicensed, while his son conducted CPR and ventilation without a valid EMT license
A Baton Rouge paramedic pleaded guilty to falsely posing as a doctor to call in prescriptions, facing up to five years in prison and hefty fines
A fatal explosion at a Troy medical facility’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber claimed the life of a five-year-old boy and injured his mother
A new policy aims to curb sexual harassment claims, including a $350K settlement to former “Jersey Shore” star and EMT Angelina Pivarnick over alleged misconduct
Former Bellingham firefighters alleged that a 2021 vaccine mandate violated their rights and caused emotional distress through a “scorched-earth” enforcement policy
Field supervisors need to ensure EMS personnel follow infection control guidelines and ambulance decontamination processes
Eve Grau, co-founder of Royal Ambulance, a Glassdoor Employee’s Choice winner, shares the moments that matter, and how to recognize performance
On his first day, President Trump ordered federal agencies to end all “equity-related” grants and contracts, later mandating contractors to certify they don’t promote DEI
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is seeking the dissolution of the Dillsboro Emergency Ambulance Unit due to declining responses
A judge sentenced the driver to seven years after he pleaded guilty to the wrong-way crash that killed off-duty Independence Firefighter/Paramedic Harold “Gene” Eddins
The former Albuquerque Fire Department dispatcher told a 911 caller in 2015 to “deal with it yourself” before hanging up on her as she tried to help a 17-year-old shooting victim who later died
Lt. Nelson Seto called 911 reporting breathing trouble, but EMTs left when he didn’t answer the door; hours later, he was found dead
Steve Whitehead shares how to avoid legal action, negligence or malpractice with the golden rule
No one wants to join a sinking ship
The lawsuit asserts the Hercules officers were informed that the patient was experiencing a seizure
The responders said in a report that they were hungry a fatigued; a firefighter/EMT involved in the case has been fired
Allegations of a coverup lead to disciplinary action within the fire department
New Jersey State Police mistook the woman’s stroke symptoms for drug use, delaying medical care and leaving her permanently disabled, a lawsuit said
A former Baker City firefighter was sued by city councilors for allegedly making false statements in a recall petition related to the decision to discontinue the fire department’s ambulance operations
Balance your emotional reactions with rational decisions to win the internal big game
Prosecutors said the former Sioux City Fire Rescue paramedic failed to verify the medication before drawing it up and gave the patient rocuronium instead of ketamine
The former fire department EMS assistant chief pleaded guilty to stealing fentanyl and morphine while working for a county EMS department
Managing high-risk/difficult refusals with the FEARS mnemonic
Being present is only one part of MBWA: You also need to ask questions and build rapport
The defense attorneys representing one of the firefighters share the legal and operational lessons from this high-profile case, emphasizing documentation, training and BWCs
FEMA, wildfire response and a fire chief running calls on expired licensure: Chris and Kelly break down the biggest news from around the country
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