Helping At The Scene
Health & Saf. Code 1799.102 — care in good faith and without pay, short of gross negligence
In California, a person who in good faith, and not for compensation, renders emergency medical or nonmedical care or assistance at the scene of an emergency is not liable for civil damages from any act or omission, other than one constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
- The scene of an emergency does not include emergency departments and other places where medical care is usually offered.
- Medical, law enforcement and emergency personnel named in the chapter have their own, separate protection under the same section.
- The Legislature states its intent to encourage people to volunteer help in an emergency while acting responsibly.
The protection is from civil liability, a lawsuit for damages, and the section sets its own limits on who and what it covers. Whether it applies to a particular act is a question for a court and for a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Health & Saf. Code 1799.102 — Emergency care at the scene of an emergency
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.