<P> Good Samaritan laws offer legal protection to people who give reasonable assistance to those who are , or who they believe to be , injured , ill , in peril , or otherwise incapacitated . The protection is intended to reduce bystanders ' hesitation to assist , for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death . An example of such a law in common - law areas of Canada : a good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being successfully sued for wrongdoing . Its purpose is to keep people from being reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of legal repercussions should they make some mistake in treatment . By contrast , a duty to rescue law requires people to offer assistance , and holds those who fail to do so liable . </P>
<P> Good Samaritan laws offer legal protection to people who give reasonable assistance to those who are , or who they believe to be , injured , ill , in peril , or otherwise incapacitated . The protection is intended to reduce bystanders ' hesitation to assist , for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death . An example of such a law in common - law areas of Canada : a good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being successfully sued for wrongdoing . Its purpose is to keep people from being reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of legal repercussions should they make some mistake in treatment . By contrast , a duty to rescue law requires people to offer assistance , and holds those who fail to do so liable . </P>
what is the purpose of good samaritan laws
what is the purpose of good samaritan laws
offer legal protection to people who give reasonable assistance to those who are , or who they believe to be , injured , ill , in peril , or otherwise incapacitated
offer legal protection to people who give reasonable assistance to those who are , or who they believe to be , injured , ill , in peril , or otherwise incapacitated