Corporate Policy Trumps Human Life

[Glaucus]

Florida lifeguard fired after saving drowning man

"The reason I was fired is just ridiculous," Lopez told CNN late Wednesday night. "It is a ridiculous rule, really. What was I supposed to do? Just let the guy drown?"

The incident occurred Monday at Hallandale Beach in southern Florida.

Orlando-based Jeff Ellis and Associates, the company Lopez worked for, said lifeguards cannot go beyond the perimeter of the beach they are responsible for overseeing.

To be fair, it's really fear of litigation that brought on this policy and is the likely heart of the problem here. But even still, it's hard to believe that you're less liable by standing by, watching a man drown than by taking active steps to help. Just another reason to hate lawyers? Regardless, the life guard had the balls to risk his job to save a person, why couldn't a company risk a lawsuit?

 

[cecilia]

I just saw him being interviewed and he Clearly knew his job was in jeopardy before he ran to help the man in danger....and STILL he picked trying to save a human being. THAT is an ethical person.

 

[metalman]

no good deed goes unpunished

At least two other lifeguards said they were fired the next day after being asked if they would have taken similar action. "They sat me down and told me that my answer will determine if I get to keep my job or not," said Travis Madrid, 20. "When I told him I would do the same thing, they told me I was dismissed."

Several other lifeguards have since resigned from their jobs in protest

The company owner said his human resources department will be contacting Lopez and the others to offer them their jobs back.

Ellis said the outcome of the investigation will determine if the local supervisors will be punished for their actions.

A duty to rescue is a concept in tort law that arises in English common law

Emergency workers (firefighters, emergency medical technicians, etc.) have a general duty to rescue the public within the scope of their employment. Since he was a lifeguard, he was legally required to attempt to save the man, despite company policy prohibiting it.

FYI: In many countries, if you were to be accidentally hit by a car, and then they stop and back up, its not to render aid, its to limit liability. there is much more liability if you happened to live.

 

[metalman]

more info

Miami Herald: Fired Lifeguard offered job back

Lopez was fired Monday after he left his station at 1:40 p.m. Monday to help a man who was drowning behind the Hemispheres apartment complex, 1950 S. Ocean Dr.
For about a decade, the city of Hallandale Beach has hired Jeff Ellis Management Company to employ lifeguards at its two public beaches and municipal pool. The stretch of beach lined by condominiums is unprotected

 

[robert l. bentham]

why couldn't a company risk a lawsuit?

corporations aren't people.... looks a whole lot different when you're down here on the ground don't it? i can't look the other way either... and it has been to my detriment... all failed roads lead to bankruptcy of some sort...

 

[robert l. bentham]

no good deed goes unpunished

At least two other lifeguards said they were fired the next day after being asked if they would have taken similar action. "They sat me down and told me that my answer will determine if I get to keep my job or not," said Travis Madrid, 20. "When I told him I would do the same thing, they told me I was dismissed."
A duty to rescue is a concept in tort law that arises in English common law

Emergency workers (firefighters, emergency medical technicians, etc.) have a general duty to rescue the public within the scope of their employment. Since he was a lifeguard, he was legally required to attempt to save the man, despite company policy prohibiting it.

FYI: In many countries, if you were to be accidentally hit by a car, and then they stop and back up, its not to render aid, its to limit liability. there is much more liability if you happened to live.

tort reform... ugh.... c'mon really?

 

[robert l. bentham]

hes making the TV rounds... feller like that will have job tomorrow that pays him better if he wants it without changing his name... bet the corporation dont do that...