Hypothetical situation: Someone is trapped in a burning cubicle at work. Would co-workers try to save their fellow employee?
Workers in California may think twice now, after a recent state supreme court ruling.
Good Samaritans who try to rescue an accident victim can be sued for damages, according to a 4-3 opinion from the court.
The state’s shield against liability for emergency help applies only to people providing medical assistance.
Lisa Torti pulled her co-worker and friend, Alexandra Van Horn, from a wrecked car and in the process allegedly injured the woman, leaving her permanently paralyzed.
Torti said she’d seen smoke and thought the car was about to explode. She pulled Van Horn out of the car just before emergency crews arrived.
Now, Van Horn’s lawsuit against Torti can go to trial.
