The California Supreme Court affirmed a decision of the court of appeal. The court held that the “Good Samaritan” statute, which immunizes from liability a person who renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency, does not apply to persons rendering non-medical assistence.
Alexandra Van Horn was in a car accident. Lisa Torti saw the accident and went to Van Horn’s aid. Before emergency personnel arrived, Torti pulled Van Horn from the car, apparently out of concern that the vehicle might catch fire. Van Horn suffered damage to her spinal cord which rendered her a paraplegic.
