Action in the Event Tent! Medical-Legal Issues Facing the Volunteer Event Physician

Abstract

Context: Physicians need to consider medical-legal issues when volunteering their time to assist with community mass-participation and athletic events. This article also reviews medical-legal aspects of the volunteer physician’s out-of-state practice. Seven cases illustrate the importance of expertise and planning to avoid legal issues for the volunteer event physician. Evidence Acquisition: Relevant studies, expert opinion, medical-legal legislation, and medical-legal cases were reviewed. Results: Physicians typically make 4 common assumptions regarding these types of events: Good Samaritan legislation, event liability insurance, personal liability insurance, and waivers. We discuss the intent of these assumptions and the reality of how, or how not, they provide any protection to the volunteer event physician. Conclusion: The intent of this article is to make physicians aware of medial-legal issues when volunteering their time for community and athletic events.