This isn't a freak show.

[Draco]

Unless you are medically trained/licensed (and even then only if you are working usually) NO they cannot. It's called the Good Samaritan Law.

Those vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

For example:

In some jurisdictions, good Samaritan laws only protect those who have completed basic first aid training and are certified by health organizations, such as the American Heart Association, or American Red Cross, provided that they have acted within the scope of their training. In these jurisdictions, a person who is neither trained in first aid nor certified, and who performs first aid incorrectly, can be held legally liable for errors made. In other jurisdictions any rescuer is protected from liability so long as the responder acted rationally. In Florida, paramedics and EMTs are protected statutorily from liability, unless they were reckless.

As I said, it'd be great to be able to help, but with sue-happy people around, well... Many just aren't willing to risk it. It's a shame, but it's how things are.

[kpzra]

Unfortunately, I would be hesitant to help as well. Same if someone was choking or having a heart attack. This isn't due to my wishing ill will on anyone, but rather if something happens and you willingly get involved in trying to help, they can sue you. Or, God forbid, if they pass their estate/family can sue you.

And in this sue-happy world we live in, it DOES happen. :/

The people laughing were just douches though. Unless it was more of a nervous laugh. That I could understand in a high stress situation.

Unless you are medically trained/licensed (and even then only if you are working usually) NO they cannot. It's called the Good Samaritan Law.

[Draco]

Unfortunately, I would be hesitant to help as well. Same if someone was choking or having a heart attack. This isn't due to my wishing ill will on anyone, but rather if something happens and you willingly get involved in trying to help, they can sue you. Or, God forbid, if they pass their estate/family can sue you.

And in this sue-happy world we live in, it DOES happen. :/

The people laughing were just douches though. Unless it was more of a nervous laugh. That I could understand in a high stress situation.

[AmandaLaederich]

As with most business we have our regulars, this guy in-particular is in our store at least once a day if not more. He is one of the nicest guy someone could meet, he suffers from epilepsy and occasionally he'll have an attack in the store or parking lot, he mostly comes at night and there aren't many people (save for me) there to see this. However, yesterday he just happened be in the store yesterday afternoon when he had an attacked, the place was packed.





And here's where the stupid comes in (or at least I think it's stupid) I yell to my co-worker that he was having an attack and she, thank god, reacts promptly and gets on the phone quickly. The customers however, just gawked or started whispering to each other, one even had the nerve to start laughing at him, someone else just looked at him as if he grew a second head and was spewing acid all over the place.



Really people! Then when I tried to get someone to help turn him on his side so he could breath they all started inching away and the one guy who stepped forward wouldn't even touch him! I said grab his legs so what does he do? Grab the cuff of his pants pinched in-between his fingers!!! Luckily the EMTs showed up shortly after.



I get not everyone has the know how to just up and act in an emergency, but to laugh at him?! REALLY! How about you start choking and we all point and laugh as you turn purple and struggle for a decent breath and see how well that goes for you?!