Planning for medical emergencies is essential for any event. The days of yelling, "Is there a doctor in the house?" when a crisis hits are over. With all of the advances in rescue techniques and emergency medicine, it is tantamount to negligence to host a meeting unprepared.
While meeting planners are not insurers of their attendees' health, they could be sued for negligence if a sick or injured meeting participant dies from an attack that could have been mitigated by readily available medical equipment and techniques. This is especially true in New York and other big cities, where there's an abundance of both advanced medicine and lawyers. Planners should take these precautions to avoid charges of negligence if injury or death occurs at one of their functions:
Automatic External Defibrillators (AED): These easy-to-operate electronic devices, used to stimulate a failing heart, are widely available in hotels, convention centers, airports, and even airplanes. Only a careless planner would not have one on hand.
EMTs on Call: Emergency Medical Technicians stabilize injuries and transport the sick to the hospital. For larger meetings and groups whose agendas involve strenuous physical activity, planners should arrange for EMTs to be readily available, possibly even on-site.
Good Samaritans: In today's society where lawsuits abound, is it safe for meeting staff and attendees to assist in a medical emergency? Can a would-be rescuer lend a hand without worrying about being sued if the victim does not recover? The answer to both questions is yes. "Good Samaritan" statutes protect a rescuer from liability for any injuries caused while rendering assistance in an emergency situation. The only requirement is that the means used be reasonable under the circumstances. Thus a planner trained in first aid techniques will be protected if she tries to help a victim, even if her efforts don't yield good results.
Incident Reports: A good form for recording exactly what happens is a must. It should include all the essential information, from the victim's name and address, to the identity of all who render assistance, as well as the cause of the incident, and the type of aid administered. If the victim goes to the hospital, the name of the hospital and the treating physician should be listed. Accompanying photos are also appropriate. Incident reports can help protect planners from liability if the victim later makes a false claim about the cause of an accident.
Insurance: An insurance policy is a planner's first defense against negligence lawsuits. If a suit arises, the insurer will defend the claim and pay the cost of any settlements or decisions in the victim's favor.
Joshua L. Grimes, Esq. is an attourney with a nationwide hospitality practice based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a frequent speaker at industry events. His clients inlude meeting planners, hotels, convention/conference facilities, and other industry suppliers.