legal-terms legal-history
Good Samaritan law
<p>What exactly is the Good Samaritan law? Can someone please explain the Good Samaritan law? What is the Good Samaritan statute? How would someone apply the law in LaSalle County Illinois?</p>

<p>Edit: After reading some comments and answers, how would this apply in a situation where you were trained for cpr/first aid, called assistance to someone threatening suicide, and ended up with charges against you for assisting by calling for aid? </p>

<p>In <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2076&amp;ChapterID=58" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Illinois</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The General Assembly has established numerous protections for the
  generous and compassionate acts of its citizens who volunteer their
  time and talents to help others.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Basically, if you are a licensed medical profession, or have had successful training in CPR provided by the the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and you try in good faith to save somebody's life and fail, you are not liable for their death, under the assumption you did not cause harm in the first place (i.e. you can not stab someone in the chest, attempt CPR, and be exempt from lawsuit(s)). </p>

<p>Note that this doesn't apply to just CPR or physicians. This also covers dentists, Pharmacists, Optometrists, Physical Therapist, etc. </p>
