Understanding Arizona’s Good Samaritan Law: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Protects You
At the Brain Injury Association of Arizona, we are deeply familiar with the impact emergencies have on individuals and their families. Whether our clients have survived a stroke, been involved with a drunk or distracted uninsured driver, or simply fall and sustain a brain injury, we are constantly reminded that circumstances can shape people’s lives far more than their individual choices.
But sometimes we also hear remarkable stories of the people who helped our clients survive. Whether it’s a stranger who calls 911 after an accident or someone who stays with an unconscious person after a fall until help arrives, it never fails to fill our hearts knowing that people will, over all, help others.
“…sometimes good intentions lead to unpleasant, unforeseen consequences. Unfortunately, there have been cases in which a person who attempted to help someone else ended up getting sued.”
Understanding Arizona’s Good Samaritan Law: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Protects You
At the Brain Injury Association of Arizona, we are deeply familiar with the impact emergencies have on individuals and their families. Whether our clients have survived a stroke, been involved with a drunk or distracted uninsured driver, or simply fall and sustain a brain injury, we are constantly reminded that circumstances can shape people’s lives far more than their individual choices.
But sometimes we also hear remarkable stories of the people who helped our clients survive. Whether it’s a stranger who calls 911 after an accident or someone who stays with an unconscious person after a fall until help arrives, it never fails to fill our hearts knowing that people will, over all, help others.
“…sometimes good intentions lead to unpleasant, unforeseen consequences. Unfortunately, there have been cases in which a person who attempted to help someone else ended up getting sued.”
That said, sometimes good intentions lead to unpleasant, unforeseen consequences. Unfortunately, there have been cases in which a person who attempted to help someone else ended up getting sued.
And that’s why Good Samaritan laws exist. Arizona’s Good Samaritan laws are designed to encourage people to help during emergencies by offering legal protections when they act responsibly and in good faith.
What Is a Good Samaritan Law?
Good Samaritan laws protect people from legal liability when they voluntarily provide reasonable assistance to someone who is injured, ill, or in danger. These laws exist to remove a major barrier to helping: fear of being sued. Though there is no single federal Good Samaritan law, all 50 states and D.C. have a version of the law on the books and are enforced.
Arizona’s Good Samaritan Protections
In Arizona’s case, there isn’t really one, single law per se. Rather, protections for people who help others in good faith appear in several different laws that apply to specific emergency situations.
Emergency Care and AED Use
Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2263 provides civil liability protection for individuals who use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an emergency. These are the paddles that “zap” a person’s heart into beating again if used properly and in the right circumstances – you’ll recognize this from many movies or television shows.
As with the other Arizona Good Samaritan laws, this one protects the person using the AED on another person as long as they render emergency care in good faith and without compensation. If those circumstances are met and something goes wrong, the Good Samaritan is not liable for civil damages unless their actions involve gross negligence or willful misconduct.
This protection applies to everyday people — not just medical professionals — and encourages the use of AEDs in cardiac emergencies.
Calling for Help During a Drug Overdose
Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3423 offers Good Samaritan protections for individuals who seek medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose. If evidence of drug possession or paraphernalia is discovered solely because someone called for emergency help, that person cannot be prosecuted for those offenses.
This law is meant to save lives by encouraging people to call 911 without fear of criminal consequences.
Emergency Administration of Epinephrine
Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2226 protects individuals who administer epinephrine (such as an EpiPen) during a severe allergic reaction. As long as the person acts in good faith, without compensation, and a licensed medical professional is not immediately available, they are shielded from civil liability.
Why the Good Samaritan Law Is Important
Good Samaritan laws matter because emergencies often happen before professional help can arrive. These protections:
- Encourage people to act quickly instead of hesitating
- Reduce fear of legal consequences for caregivers and bystanders
- Increase survival rates during medical emergencies
For caregivers — including those supporting individuals with brain injuries — emergencies can be unpredictable. Knowing that the law protects reasonable, good-faith actions can make it easier to step in and help.
An Example of Good Samaritan Protection in Action
Imagine you are at a public event when someone collapses and becomes unresponsive. You call 911, retrieve a nearby AED, and follow the device’s instructions until paramedics arrive.
Even if the person does not survive, Arizona law protects you from civil liability because you acted in good faith, without compensation, and within the scope of reasonable emergency care. Or, assuming you followed instructions and did your best, if you accidentally hurt the person with the AED they cannot sue you. These protections exist so people focus on helping — not on potential lawsuits.
Important Limits to Know
It’s probably pretty obvious by now, but Good Samaritan laws are not blanket permission to do whatever you want or act recklessly. They generally do not apply if someone acts with:
- Gross negligence
- Willful or intentional misconduct
- Reckless behavior that puts others at risk
The law protects reasonable efforts — not dangerous or deliberately harmful actions. For example, if a person you dislike falls off a ladder and is unconscious, and you’re a particularly malicious person who then drags them across the floor under the guise of “helping” them, that would be unlikely to hold up in court. Similarly, you have a responsibly to at least try to use equipment like EpiPens or AEDs properly. That means pausing to look at instructions, even if it’s during an emergency.
Final Thoughts
Good Samaritan laws reflect a simple but powerful idea: helping others should not come with punishment. By understanding these protections, individuals, caregivers, and community members can feel more confident stepping in during emergencies.
At the Brain Injury Association of Arizona, we encourage everyone to learn these laws, seek basic emergency training when possible, and remember that quick, compassionate action can save lives.
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona is the state’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of brain injury survivors, their families, and caregivers. Your generous support is crucial to continue providing them with programs and services.
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.
What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.