[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/does-alabama-have-a-good-samaritan-law\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/does-alabama-have-a-good-samaritan-law\/","headline":"Does Alabama Have a Good Samaritan Law?","name":"Does Alabama Have a Good Samaritan Law?","description":"When someone who witnesses an accident jumps in to help an injury victim, can that victim sue the person if the aid they provide is harmful? In many circumstances, the answer is no. Alabama’s Good Samaritan Law provides liability protection for anyone who gratuitously offers first aid or...","datePublished":"2024-08-22","dateModified":"2026-03-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/author\/dothanalabamalawyer\/#Person","name":"Aaron Gartlan","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/author\/dothanalabamalawyer\/","identifier":6,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d2cf6b9fa253242e9c4d79550a007842dd4738da75634f31cb576c537fb5159?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d2cf6b9fa253242e9c4d79550a007842dd4738da75634f31cb576c537fb5159?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Gartlan Injury law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Gartlan-Logo-3Color-Horizontal-NoBackground-2.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Gartlan-Logo-3Color-Horizontal-NoBackground-2.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/doing-cpr.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/doing-cpr.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/does-alabama-have-a-good-samaritan-law\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":970,"articleBody":"When someone who witnesses an accident jumps in to help an injury victim, can that victim sue the person if the aid they provide is harmful? In many circumstances, the answer is no.Alabama’s Good Samaritan Law provides liability protection for anyone who gratuitously offers first aid or emergency care in an accident or disaster. Under this law, people who receive emergency assistance cannot sue the person for damages if the care is ineffective or harmful \u2013 provided those parties acted in good faith, without charge, and as another reasonable person would under the same circumstances.\u00a0If injuries you sustained in an accident were exacerbated by the actions of people who came to your assistance, Alabama\u2019s Good Samaritan Law may limit your ability to pursue legal claims against them. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you by reviewing your case, determining your legal options, and pursuing a claim when possible.Why Was the Good Samaritan Law Put in Place?States like Alabama have Good Samaritan Laws to encourage people to render aid in emergencies. Immediate medical assistance may mean the difference between life and death for someone who\u2019s been in an accident. However, without Good Samaritan Laws, someone might not provide a victim with emergency care out of fear that they could be held liable should they make a mistake and injure that person. In removing that fear, Good Samaritan Laws give accident victims the best chance at survival and recovery by encouraging bystanders to jump in and assist.What Does the Alabama Good Samaritan Law Not Offer Protection From?Alabama’s Good Samaritan Law only protects covered parties from liability for injury claims when they render assistance gratuitously \u2013 in other words, without compensation or as part of their job or legal duties. For example, an emergency medical technician who responds to the accident scene during their duties does not enjoy the protections of the Good Samaritan Law because they are helping the victim as part of their job rather than “gratuitously.”Someone providing assistance under the Good Samaritan Law must also act in good faith. The law may not protect someone who commits gross negligence or willful misconduct in assisting an accident victim. Gross negligence involves knowingly or intentionally disregarding a substantial risk of injuring others. In addition, the person helping must act like a reasonably prudent individual would in the same or similar conditions.Who Does Alabama’s Good Samaritan Law Cover?The Good Samaritan Law protects anyone acting in good faith, without charge, and in a reasonable manner. You don\u2019t have to be a healthcare professional to be covered by the Good Samaritan Law. A bystander to an accident or emergency can usually provide reasonable aid without fear of liability, even without special medical training.However, the Good Samaritan Law specifically outlines numerous categories of healthcare professionals it applies to. The statute explicitly identifies the following as covered parties:Medical doctorsDentistsNursesOrganized rescue squad membersPolice officersFirefighters, including members of organized volunteer fire departmentsCommunity emergency response teams certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Licensed emergency medical techniciansInterns or residents practicing in Alabama hospitals in training programs approved by the American Medical Association (AMA)Alabama state troopersMedical aid workers or helicopter crews functioning as part of military assistance to safety and traffic programsChiropractorsThe Good Samaritan Law also applies to:Public education employeesState and federal agency-qualified mine rescue personnel engaged in mine rescue operationsLicensed engineers, architects, surveyors, and contractors participating in emergency response activities under the direction of community, county, state, or federal emergency management agenciesOrdinary bystanders who attempt to help someone who appears to be undergoing cardiac arrest, along with doctors and companies involved in placing defibrillators, offering training, etc.Does Alabama Have a Good Samaritan Law for Drug Overdoses?Alabama also has a type of Good Samaritan Law that provides immunity from prosecution for various misdemeanor drug-related crimes when seeking medical assistance for someone suffering from an apparent drug overdose. A person may qualify for immunity from prosecution if:The person acts in good faith and reasonably believes that no one else has sought assistance for the individual in distress.The person uses their name when contacting authorities to report the overdose.Law enforcement first becomes aware of a possible misdemeanor drug crime because the person sought medical assistance for another individual.The person seeking assistance stays with the individual needing medical assistance until first responders arrive.What If Someone Caused or Worsened My Injuries in Alabama?Did someone not protected by Alabama’s Good Samaritan Law cause or worsen your injuries after an accident? If so, you may have grounds to pursue a legal claim against that individual to seek money for your:Costs of additional medical treatment and rehabilitationCosts of long-term disability careLost income from additional time you need to take off workLost future earning capacityAdditional pain and sufferingLost quality of life due to physical disabilities or severe scarring and disfigurementUnder Alabama law, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against someone who provides assistance falling outside the scope of the Good Samaritan Law.\u00a0 A personal injury attorney can help determine if someone\u2019s actions were not covered by the law and file your claim before the deadline.Contact an Alabama Personal Injury LawyerIf someone\u2019s improper attempts to treat you in an emergency exacerbated the injuries you suffered, talk to a lawyer about your legal options. Contact Gartlan Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. We will discuss how our firm can help you pursue financial recovery for your medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering. Don\u2019t delay \u2013 reach out today.Visit Our Alabama Personal Injury Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Does Alabama Have a Good Samaritan Law?","item":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/does-alabama-have-a-good-samaritan-law\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]