The Good Samaritan doctrine protects a person who comes to the rescue of an individual in imminent and serious danger, or one who is injured from being sued with negligence, as long as
the volunteer acted with reasonable care and was not reckless. The main purpose behind it is to
prevent people from civil liabilities and encourage emergency assistance for damage that is done by the assistance. The doctrine would benefit those who reasonably assist in serious situations.
Jean M. BOCCASILE et al. v. CAJUN MUSIC LIMITED et al.
Nos.
96-6-Appeal, 95-418-Appeal.
Decided: May 09, 1997
In Rhode Island in 1989, Aline Champoux, RN, and Dr. Sara John volunteered at the Cajun Music
festival. During the event, they were told that someone was needing medical assistance. When Dr. John and a few members of the crew approached the man, Ralph Boccasile, they realized he
was having an allergic reaction to the gumbo. Dr. John stayed on the scene while the others went back for medication, and help. Someone soon returned with an EpiPen. When he was injected, he lost all consciousness. Resuscitative matters were administered until the ambulance arrived. Unfortunately, Boccasile never regained consciousness and died the following day. Boccasiles wife, Jean Boccasile, sued Dr. John and Nurse Champoux stating that they were negligent in the matter and were unprepared by not bringing equipment to the scene. Jean Boccasile claimed that the two were not covered under the Good Samaritan doctrine because they volunteered their services for the festival. Dr. John and Nurse Champoux felt as if they were covered by the doctrine since they volunteered and were not paid for doing so. The Court ruled in favor of Dr. John and Nurse Champoux alleging that they were in fact covered by the Good Samaritan doctrine.
