Legal Definitions - Good Samaritan doctrine

The Good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that protects people who try to help others in danger from being sued for any harm that may occur during the rescue attempt. This means that if someone is injured while trying to help someone else, they cannot be held responsible for any harm that may have occurred during the rescue attempt.

For example, if a person sees someone drowning in a lake and jumps in to save them, but ends up injuring themselves in the process, they cannot be sued for any harm that may have occurred during the rescue attempt. However, if the rescue attempt was unreasonable or the rescuer acted unreasonably during the attempt, they may still be held responsible for any harm that may have occurred.

The Good Samaritan doctrine is an important legal principle that encourages people to help others in need without fear of legal repercussions. It is important to note that this doctrine only applies to situations where the rescuer is acting in good faith and is not being paid for their services.