Civil Rights
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When someone is injured or in need of medical assistance, calling 911 is typically the best response. But can a person who decides not to call 911 face any legal consequences?
In a lawsuit recent recently filed against Hollywood director Brett Ratner, a woman who was allegedly injured at a party at Ratner's house claims that the director and other party-goers refused to call 911, fearing bad publicity. The woman eventually made it to a hospital, where she received more than 80 stitches; she claims she can no longer work because of her injuries.
So can you successfully sue someone for not calling 911? Here are a few points to consider:
When a person fails to maintain a reasonable standard of conduct, he may be liable for the injuries he caused to other people under the legal theory of negligence.
Negligence generally states that a person who owes a duty of care to someone else can be held liable for the injuries caused by a violation of that duty.
Even if a person is already injured, a defendant can sometimes be held liable for negligence if the defendant's conduct makes the person's injuries worse, such as a doctor who performs negligent medical care on a patient.
However, unlike a doctor treating a patient, an average person generally owes no duty to help or rescue another person in distress, such as by calling 911. And when there is no duty owed, there can be no negligence.
However, in some situations the general rule that a person has no duty to rescue may not apply. These include:
If you've been injured but you're unsure of who may be legally responsible for your injuries, an experienced personal injury attorney can help explain your legal options.
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