A Duty to Help
12 V.S.A. § 519 — reasonable help to someone exposed to grave physical harm, when it is safe to give
A person who knows another is exposed to grave physical harm gives reasonable assistance, as far as it can be given without danger to the helper or interference with important duties to others, unless others are already helping.
- Someone who helps reasonably is not liable in civil damages, unless the acts are grossly negligent or the helper expects to be paid.
- Willfully failing to help brings a fine of up to $100.
Sources for this section (1)
- 12 V.S.A. § 519 — 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 Vermont attorney.