{"id":368937,"date":"2022-01-13T14:52:10","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T19:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-someone-for-not-calling-911.html"},"modified":"2024-01-09T10:35:15","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T15:35:15","slug":"can-i-sue-someone-for-not-calling-911","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-someone-for-not-calling-911.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue Someone for Not Calling 911?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue Someone for Not Calling 911?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Yes, in some situations you may be able to sue someone in civil court for failing to call 911. Yet, this only applies when that person had a duty to call for emergency help.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Although you\u00a0owe no legal obligation to a stranger to give them help when they are in peril, there are situations when you assume the duty, a statute (law) imposes the duty, or you have a special relationship with that person that creates that duty, such as for a family member.<\/p>\n

If you do help someone in need, most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect you from civil cases if something goes\u00a0wrong. In other words, the law doesn’t force you to help someone, but if you do, you should be\u00a0protected from liability.<\/p>\n

For example, if someone at the table next to you is choking, you do not have to help. If you do and\u00a0break the ribs of the person choking when doing the Heimlich Maneuver, you won’t be on the hook for their medical bills.<\/p>\n

Learn about the legal duty to call 911 below:<\/p>\n