Los Angeles plans to charge families of electrocuted Good Samaritans

[shadowstalker]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/los-angeles-plans-charge-family-electrocuted-good-samaritans-174537361.html

The families of two Good Samaritans who were electrocuted after racing to the scene of a car wreck will still be charged for ambulance fees by the city of Los Angeles.
On August 22, Irma Zamora and Stacey Schreiber died after rushing to the scene of a car wreck. Four others were also injured in the incident, after an estimated 4,800 volts of power flowing from a snapped streetlight fixture made contact with water spewing from a broken fire hydrant at the scene of the car accident.
Earlier it was reported that city officials might find a way to waive the fees, which are estimated to be around $1,000 per person. The four other injured victims will also reportedly be billed for emergency services.
LAist reports that City Councilman Paul Krekorian is holding a press conference on Thursday during which he will announce plans to help raise funds for the victims' families.
"No one who puts themselves in harm's way should have to struggle to pay the bills that accrue as a result of their altruism," Krekorian said in a statement.
City fire officials say they do not have the power to circumvent municipal codes and waive the mandatory paramedic fees, even in cases during which a citizen is accidentally injured or killed.

[Vitalux]

Looks like a shocking lesson to learn:confused:

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad59/Mikki_Galang/Tumblr%20Gifs%20and%20Stuff/electrocution.gif

Lets hope awareness of this problem finds solution:sad:

[Tangri]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/los-angeles-plans-charge-family-electrocuted-good-samaritans-174537361.html

The families of two Good Samaritans who were electrocuted after racing to the scene of a car wreck will still be charged for ambulance fees by the city of Los Angeles.
On August 22, Irma Zamora and Stacey Schreiber died after rushing to the scene of a car wreck. Four others were also injured in the incident, after an estimated 4,800 volts of power flowing from a snapped streetlight fixture made contact with water spewing from a broken fire hydrant at the scene of the car accident.
Earlier it was reported that city officials might find a way to waive the fees, which are estimated to be around $1,000 per person. The four other injured victims will also reportedly be billed for emergency services.
LAist reports that City Councilman Paul Krekorian is holding a press conference on Thursday during which he will announce plans to help raise funds for the victims' families.
"No one who puts themselves in harm's way should have to struggle to pay the bills that accrue as a result of their altruism," Krekorian said in a statement.
City fire officials say they do not have the power to circumvent municipal codes and waive the mandatory paramedic fees, even in cases during which a citizen is accidentally injured or killed.

Can they sue the City because of City property caused the death of the relatives? In Canada, I can file a claim on the rims and tires and sue the City if potholes cause an accident .

http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/roads/potholes.htm

http://redliners.ca/forums/showthread.php?10816-How-to-deal-with-city-of-Ottawa-with-Potholes!!!

[CdnSirian]

I heard today that the necessary funds have been raised for all, and that the individuals who tried to help are being regarded as heroes.

[Flash]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/los-angeles-plans-charge-family-electrocuted-good-samaritans-174537361.html

The families of two Good Samaritans who were electrocuted after racing to the scene of a car wreck will still be charged for ambulance fees by the city of Los Angeles.
On August 22, Irma Zamora and Stacey Schreiber died after rushing to the scene of a car wreck. Four others were also injured in the incident, after an estimated 4,800 volts of power flowing from a snapped streetlight fixture made contact with water spewing from a broken fire hydrant at the scene of the car accident.
Earlier it was reported that city officials might find a way to waive the fees, which are estimated to be around $1,000 per person. The four other injured victims will also reportedly be billed for emergency services.
LAist reports that City Councilman Paul Krekorian is holding a press conference on Thursday during which he will announce plans to help raise funds for the victims' families.
"No one who puts themselves in harm's way should have to struggle to pay the bills that accrue as a result of their altruism," Krekorian said in a statement.
City fire officials say they do not have the power to circumvent municipal codes and waive the mandatory paramedic fees, even in cases during which a citizen is accidentally injured or killed.

Can they sue the City because of City property caused the death of the relatives? In Canada, I can file a claim on the rims and tires and sue the City if potholes cause an accident .

http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/roads/potholes.htm

http://redliners.ca/forums/showthread.php?10816-How-to-deal-with-city-of-Ottawa-with-Potholes!!!

Not any longer dear Levent Tonga, they changed the law and you cannot sue for potholes anylonger in Montreal (as you know we are the capital of potholes and corrupt contruction companies with corrupt city managements taking bribes) Instead of changing the situation, they changed the law.

As for waiving other things in similar situation, there is a law in Canada that if you don't come to help people in a dangerous situation while you could, you can be sued for lack of help of persons in danger. So there is surely something to take you off the judicial hook, but I am not sure anymore.

[grampah]

"City fire officials say they do not have the power to circumvent municipal codes and waive the mandatory paramedic fees, even in cases during which a citizen is accidentally injured or killed."

In the 70's I was responsible for reviewing the paramedic fees billed to a city in LA County. Municipal code forbid me to waive any fees. However, there was a procedure for writing off the bills after efforts had been made to collect and a certain period of time had passed.

[shadowstalker]

What the the family should have done about the electric company:
Sued for neglect of dangerous materials/code enforcement faillier, man slaughter, mental anguish, emotional anguish,
Sent the Bill to electric company. for services from emergency services.

[RunningDeer]

Another post not needed... Time to lay off the coffee.

[truth4me]

I heard today that the necessary funds have been raised for all, and that the individuals who tried to help are being regarded as heroes.
For they are heroes! Any person who goes out of their way to help someone in which they put their life at stake is a hero in my book.....

[Arrowwind]

What the the family should have done about the electric company:
Sued for neglect of dangerous materials/code enforcement faillier, man slaughter, mental anguish, emotional anguish,
Sent the Bill to electric company. for services from emergency services.

If this is what happened please tell me why the electric company should have been sued? Sounds to me that the accident caused the infrastructure problem that caused the death.

"On August 22, Irma Zamora and Stacey Schreiber died after rushing to the scene of a car wreck. Four others were also injured in the incident, after an estimated 4,800 volts of power flowing from a snapped streetlight fixture made contact with water spewing from a broken fire hydrant at the scene of the car accident."

Bills for emergency services need to be paid if those services are to continue. I think they did the right thing. It was taken to the public by a City Councilmam and it seems the public put forth the money and did the right thing. Its things like this that the city counsil is for. If not though the public donation, then through taxes. and we all pay if the bill is neglected. How close is LA to being to a economically broke city government anyway I wonder? Many cities in California are bankrupt or near it.

[shadowstalker]

I am seeing it from both sides as it does not specifically state when the line snapped. Just both sides to the possible true story... As for bills ppl got to be real greedy to bill families of heroes dont you think. these businesses are not going broke.

[Maia Gabrial]

As for waiving other things in similar situation, there is a law in Canada that if you don't come to help people in a dangerous situation while you could, you can be sued for lack of help of persons in danger. So there is surely something to take you off the judicial hook, but I am not sure anymore.

Sounds like one of those situations - you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.