Can doctors be sued for helping on a plane?

Physicians reluctant to respond to a medical crisis may worry about their liability. But under the Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 , doctors who treat a sick patient in good faith are protected from lawsuits that might arise from the care they delivered on a plane.



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'Good Samaritan' Doctors Protected From Liability The act provides immunity from civil lawsuits for doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other health care providers who provide in-flight emergency medical assistance.

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No legal duty to assist But the General Medical Council (the regulatory body for UK doctors) states that doctors have an ethical duty to respond in the event of a medical emergency, including one on board an aircraft.

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Most times the airline just absorbs the costs as the cost of doing business and ultimately passengers pay the costs as they will be built into ticket prices. In some cases an airline may pursue a civil case against the passenger.

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As a flight physician, your job is to provide medical treatment to a patient while onboard an aircraft.

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A trained physician is aboard just about 11 of every 12 flights. The New England Journal of Medicine discovered that in-flight medical emergencies are rare to begin with.

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If you have been denied a medical because of a disqualifying medical condition and are caught flying, the penalty will probably be revocation of all your airman certificates and ratings.

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carrier shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of the performance of the air carrier in obtaining or attempting to obtain the assistance of a passenger in an in-flight medical emergency, or out of the acts or omissions of the passenger rendering the assistance, if ...

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The most common in-flight medical emergencies involve:
  • Seizures;
  • Cardiac symptoms;
  • Nausea or vomiting;
  • Respiratory problems and.
  • Lightheadedness or fainting.


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Exceptional circumstances for air passenger rights Put simply, the airline is not responsible for the delay or cancellation of the flight. For example, a medical emergency can cause delays at any time. In such cases, the airline may invoke an extraordinary circumstance.

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The air pressure while flying increases the risk of blood clots forming, which is not ideal. Heart complications: If you've suffered a heart attack, stroke, cardiac failure or chest pain while at rest, flying should wait. The lower oxygen levels, increased air pressure, high altitude and more could affect your health.

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9 Tips for Dealing with Difficult Passengers
  1. Keep it on the down-low. If a passenger raises a concern or looks as if they're about to cause a scene, respond in a calm, quiet manner. ...
  2. Switch it up. ...
  3. Use distraction. ...
  4. Talk to a colleague. ...
  5. Show compassion. ...
  6. Stop serving alcohol. ...
  7. Answer questions. ...
  8. Be kind to parents.


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