On this episode of the Standard of Care Podcast, Nick and Samantha take a look at some of the liability issues surrounding the use of red lights and sirens. What does the law allow the driver of an emergency vehicle to do? What is “due regard”, anyway? Are shorter response times making drivers more unsafe? How does a plaintiff prove his or her case against the driver of an emergency vehicle, and what can you as the driver do to protect yourself? Please like, comment, and subscribe!
Links:
Epps, K. (2019, May 04). EMT sentenced to 1 year in jail for fatal ambulance wreck. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.ems1.com/ambulance-crash/articles/emt-sentenced-to-1-year-in-jail-for-fatal-ambulance-wreck-o70N1PhOFiuyvdBK/
Janofsky, M. (1993, December 22). Domino's Ends Fast-Pizza Pledge After Big Award to Crash Victim. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/22/business/domino-s-ends-fast-pizza-pledge-after-big-award-to-crash-victim.html
Jarvis, J. L., MD, MS, EMT-P, FACEP, FAEMS, Hamilton, V., MA, EMT-P, Taigman, M., MA, & Brown, L. H., PhD. (2020). Using Red Lights and Sirens for Emergency Ambulance Response: How Often Are Potentially Life-Saving Interventions Performed? [Abstract]. Prehospital Emergency Care. doi:10.1080/10903127.2020.1797963, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10903127.2020.1797963
Jarvis, J. L., MD, MS, EMT-P, FACEP, FAEMS & Verkest, M., A.A.S, CCP-C, FP-C, C-NPT, Paramedic. (2019, August 7). The EMS Lighthouse Project: A Dangerous Proposition: Use of Red Lights and Sirens Study [Audio blog post]. Retrieved 2020, from https://www.flightbridgeed.com/index.php/emslighthouseproject-podcast/13-ems-lighthouse-project-podcast/468-a-dangerous-proposition-use-of-red-lights-and-sirens
Kupas, D.F., MD, EMT-P, FAEMS, FACEP, et al., (2022, February 14). Joint Statement on Lights & Siren Vehicle Operations on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Responses, Retrieved 2022, from https://www.nvfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/22Feb-Joint-Statement-on-Red-Light-and-Siren-Operations.pdf
Kupas, D. F., MD, EMT-P, FAEMS, FACEP. (2017, May). Lights and Sirens Use by Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Above All Do No Harm [Pdf]. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), from https://www.ems.gov/pdf/Lights_and_Sirens_Use_by_EMS_May_2017.pdf
LLP, A. (2018, June 30). Louisiana Jury Awards $117 Million to Woman Injured in Ambulance Accident While Pregnant. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/louisiana-jury-awards-117-million-to-woman-injured-in-ambulance-accident-while-pregnant-164761026.html
Mikkelson, D., & Mikkelson, D. (2011, April). Do Mail Trucks Always Have the Right of Way? Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/four-play/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of the Standard of Care Podcast, Nick and Samantha take a look at some of the liability issues surrounding the use of red lights and sirens. What does the law allow the driver of an emergency vehicle to do? What is “due regard”, anyway? Are shorter response times making drivers more unsafe? How does a plaintiff prove his or her case against the driver of an emergency vehicle, and what can you as the driver do to protect yourself? Please like, comment, and subscribe!
Jarvis, J. L., MD, MS, EMT-P, FACEP, FAEMS, Hamilton, V., MA, EMT-P, Taigman, M., MA, & Brown, L. H., PhD. (2020). Using Red Lights and Sirens for Emergency Ambulance Response: How Often Are Potentially Life-Saving Interventions Performed? [Abstract]. Prehospital Emergency Care. doi:10.1080/10903127.2020.1797963, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10903127.2020.1797963
Kupas, D. F., MD, EMT-P, FAEMS, FACEP. (2017, May). Lights and Sirens Use by Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Above All Do No Harm [Pdf]. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), from https://www.ems.gov/pdf/Lights_and_Sirens_Use_by_EMS_May_2017.pdf
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Experienced Fire and EMS Captain with a demonstrated history of working in the public safety industry. Skilled in Crisis Management, Government, Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Fire Management. Strong healthcare services professional with a B.S. focused in Emergency Management/Homeland Security and a Masters in Public Administration from Jacksonville State University.
Senior Associate General Counsel at Grady Health System, a major public academic healthcare system in the U.S. My role involves advising on legal aspects of patient care, ethics, HR, compliance, and regulatory issues. I conduct training, draft and review legal documents, and represent the Health System in various legal proceedings, including guardianship cases in Fulton County Probate Court. I also focus significantly on Grady Health System’s EMS division, providing legal advice and hosting “The Standard of Care” Podcast on EMS legal issues. I chair the In-House Counsel Association of the Georgia Hospital Association and am a member of the State Bars of Georgia and South Carolina. I hold an MBA and MHA from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business (2014).
