I am a lifeguard in P.A. and I saved someone from drowning today, and I was wondering if they could claim they were mentaly hurt by the experience and sue me or my employer. I've been checking the P.A. laws for anything close to this, but I havn't seen much so if anyone could shed some insite, that would be awsome.
2007-07-18 13:39:33 · 6 answers · asked by Gavin 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
They would be hard pressed to sue since the owners were conscientious enough to have a life guard.
You did your job, if you were not there they would have drowned, where were the parents?
2007-07-18 13:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the liability rests on the participant of the activity that they are involved in. swimming in of its' self is dangerous as well as skydiving, skateboarding, skiing, heck, even hunting or fishing.
these are some of the few sports that the participant takes a risk that their involvement may cause them harm or even death. the only time that the injury would result in a suit if the
people/company were negligent i.e. the pool area had trip hazards, no life rings, no life hooks, or the participants were not able to see the main drains, no break lines, no identifying
depth markers. there is no case here, just always make sure the pool you guard is one that you trust and would be willing to swim safely. and thank-you for saving a life, this experience will never go away.
2007-07-18 14:14:35 · answer #2 · answered by barrbou214 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most states have implemented a Good Samaritan Law that protect people from being sued for performing life saving measures. In this case you are employed to do the job, in order to for the person to be able to sue they would have to prove you were neglegent in the performance of your job. If they are "mentally" tramatized by the incident, it would be by the almost drowning, not the life saving portion.
2007-07-18 13:50:41 · answer #3 · answered by danielss429 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are safe. It is so sad that you have to worry about this. They could go after the owner. For some reason, people have come to believe that anytime they have mental discomfort they should be reimbursed. Congrats on saving someone and don't worry.
2007-07-18 13:47:57 · answer #4 · answered by TAT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it a public pool, I would doubt it. It is one of those things that you do at your own risk. With or without a lifeguard it is the swimmers liability. I would check farther though.
Good luck
2007-07-18 13:46:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They can try but it wont fly.
2007-07-18 13:47:16 · answer #6 · answered by thinkbig 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋