Helping At The Scene
Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-603 — reasonably prudent care, without pay, until a professional takes over
In Maryland, an individual not otherwise covered by the section is not civilly liable for any act or omission in giving assistance or medical aid to a victim at the scene of an emergency, if the aid is given in a reasonably prudent manner, without fee or other compensation, and the individual relinquishes care when someone licensed or certified to provide medical care becomes available to take responsibility.
- That protection applies to an individual who administers naloxone for a known or suspected overdose.
- Licensed medical providers and trained members of fire, rescue and police services are not liable short of gross negligence, for care given without pay at the scene, in transit, or by communication with emergency personnel.
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 Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-603 — Immunity for emergency medical care
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.