Good Samaritan Law in Georgia: Your Legal Protection When Performing CPR

Updated December 2025 | Understanding Georgia Code Section 51-1-29

You’re walking through a parking lot when someone suddenly collapses in front of you. You know CPR. You could help. But a thought stops you cold: “What if I do something wrong? Could I be sued?”

This fear paralyzes thousands of potential lifesavers every year. But here’s what you need to know: Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law specifically protects people like you who step up to help in emergencies.

If you’ve been hesitating to get CPR certified—or if you already have your certification but worry about the legal consequences of using it—this comprehensive guide will answer every question you have about your legal protections in Georgia.

Quick Answer: Am I Protected?
What is Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law?
Georgia Code Section 51-1-29 Explained
What Actions Are Protected?
CPR and the Good Samaritan Law
AED Use and Legal Protection
Healthcare Professionals: Are You Covered?
The 911 Medical Amnesty Law (Drug Overdoses)
When Protection Does NOT Apply
Common Myths About CPR Liability
Real-World Scenarios
What to Do in an Emergency
Why You Should Get CPR Certified
CPR Certification in Augusta, GA
Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answer: Am I Protected? {#quick-answer}

YES. If you perform CPR on someone in Georgia and you’re acting in good faith, providing emergency care at the scene, and not charging for your services, you are protected from civil liability under Georgia Code Section 51-1-29.

This means:

✓ You cannot be sued for performing CPR
✓ You cannot be held liable if your CPR attempts are unsuccessful
✓ You cannot be held responsible if you accidentally cause injuries (like broken ribs) while performing proper CPR
✓ This protection applies whether you’re trained or untrained
✓ This protection applies to both bystanders and off-duty medical professionals

The bottom line: Georgia law wants you to help. The state recognizes that doing something is better than doing nothing when someone’s life is on the line.

What is Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law? {#what-is-the-law}

Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law has been protecting people who help others in emergencies since 1962. The law was created specifically to address one critical problem: people were hesitating to provide life-saving assistance because they feared legal consequences.

The Problem Before the Law

Imagine this scenario from the early 1960s: A man sees a car accident and runs to help an injured victim. He moves the victim to safety, preventing them from being hit by oncoming traffic. The victim survives but sustains additional injuries from being moved. Later, the victim sues the helper for aggravating their injuries.

This type of lawsuit—although uncommon—created a chilling effect. People became afraid to help, even when they could save lives.

The Solution: Legal Protection for Helpers

Georgia lawmakers recognized that emergency situations require immediate action. Waiting for trained medical professionals isn’t always possible, especially in rural areas or situations where seconds matter.

The Good Samaritan Law was designed to:

Encourage bystanders to act without fear of legal repercussions
Protect off-duty medical professionals who voluntarily provide emergency care
Prioritize life-saving action over legal perfection
Remove barriers to emergency assistance

Evolution of the Law

Since 1962, Georgia has continuously strengthened and expanded the Good Samaritan Law with additional provisions:

1962: Original law passed, protecting basic emergency care 1995: Expanded to include disaster relief situations 2001: Added specific protection for AED (defibrillator) use 2002: Extended protections to healthcare workers providing free services to nonprofits and schools 2014: Passed the 911 Medical Amnesty Law for drug and alcohol overdose situations

Georgia Code Section 51-1-29 Explained {#code-section-explained}

Let’s look at the actual law, then break it down in plain English.

The Legal Text

Georgia Code Section 51-1-29 states:

“Any person, including any person licensed to practice medicine and surgery pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 and including any person licensed to render services ancillary thereto, who in good faith renders emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency to the victim or victims thereof without making any charge therefor shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such person in rendering emergency care or as a result of any act or failure to act to provide or arrange for further medical treatment or care for the injured person.”

Plain English Translation

If you:

Act in good faith (you genuinely intend to help)
Provide emergency care at the scene (where the emergency is happening)
Don’t charge money for your help

Then you:

Cannot be sued for any injuries or damages that result from your actions
Are protected even if you make mistakes
Are covered whether you succeed or fail in your attempts to help

Key Terms Defined

“Good Faith” This means you genuinely intended to help the person, not harm them. You weren’t acting recklessly, maliciously, or with the intent to cause injury.

“At the Scene of an Accident or Emergency” This means at the actual location where the emergency is occurring—not at a hospital, doctor’s office, or other medical facility. It could be a street, parking lot, home, workplace, public building, or anywhere an emergency happens.

“Without Making Any Charge” You cannot bill or accept payment for your emergency assistance. This keeps the law focused on true “Good Samaritans” who help out of compassion, not profit. Even accepting a gift card or reward later could potentially compromise your protection.

“Emergency Care” This includes but is not limited to: CPR, first aid, rescue from vehicles, using an AED, stopping bleeding, treating shock, providing basic life support, calling 911, and arranging transportation.

What Actions Are Protected? {#protected-actions}

Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law protects a wide range of emergency assistance actions. Here’s what’s covered:

Medical Emergency Actions

✓ Performing CPR (chest compressions and rescue breaths) ✓ Using an AED/defibrillator to restart someone’s heart ✓ Administering first aid (bandaging wounds, treating burns, etc.) ✓ Stopping severe bleeding with direct pressure or tourniquets ✓ Treating shock (keeping victim warm, elevating legs, etc.) ✓ Performing the Heimlich maneuver on someone choking ✓ Assisting someone having a seizure (moving objects away, protecting their head) ✓ Administering naloxone (Narcan) for opioid overdoses ✓ Helping someone with severe allergic reactions (assisting with EpiPen) ✓ Stabilizing neck/spine injuries while waiting for help

Rescue and Extraction Actions

✓ Pulling someone from a burning vehicle ✓ Rescuing someone from drowning ✓ Moving someone away from immediate danger (oncoming traffic, fire, collapsing structure) ✓ Breaking a car window to rescue an incapacitated person (specifically mentioned in Georgia Code Section 51-1-29) ✓ Providing emergency assistance during natural disasters

Communication and Coordination Actions

✓ Calling 911 for emergency services ✓ Providing information to first responders ✓ Directing traffic around an accident scene ✓ Staying with a victim until help arrives ✓ Arranging further medical treatment

CPR and the Good Samaritan Law {#cpr-protection}

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is one of the most important skills protected under Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law. Here’s what you need to know about performing CPR and your legal protection.

You Are Protected When Performing CPR

Whether you’re CPR-certified or not, whether you’re a medical professional or a complete novice, Georgia law protects you when you attempt CPR in good faith during an emergency.

This protection covers:

Chest compressions that may break ribs or cause bruising
Rescue breaths that may not be performed perfectly
Improper technique if you’re doing your best with limited training
Unsuccessful resuscitation attempts
Any unintended consequences of your life-saving efforts

The Reality About CPR Injuries

Here’s an important fact that stops many people from performing CPR: Properly performed CPR CAN break ribs, especially in elderly individuals. This is normal, expected, and acceptable.

According to medical research:

Rib fractures occur in 30-97% of CPR cases
Sternal (breastbone) fractures occur in 13-97% of cases
These injuries are a sign that compressions are deep enough to be effective
Broken ribs heal; death doesn’t

Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law specifically protects you from liability for these types of injuries. The law recognizes that the priority is saving a life, not preventing all possible injuries during the process.

CPR Success Rates vs Legal Fears

Many people worry: “What if I do CPR wrong and they die anyway?”

Here’s the truth: Without CPR, the survival rate for cardiac arrest outside a hospital is less than 10%. With immediate bystander CPR, survival rates double or triple.

Your imperfect CPR is infinitely better than no CPR at all. And Georgia law recognizes this by protecting you whether your attempt succeeds or fails.

Real Legal Cases in Georgia

To date, there has not been a single successful lawsuit against a good Samaritan who performed CPR in Georgia under the protections of Code Section 51-1-29. The law has consistently held up in court, demonstrating that Georgia takes these protections seriously.

AED Use and Legal Protection {#aed-protection}

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are becoming increasingly common in public spaces—gyms, schools, airports, malls, and office buildings. Georgia has specific laws protecting people who use these life-saving devices.

Georgia Code Section 51-1-29.3: AED Immunity

In addition to the general Good Samaritan Law, Georgia passed specific legislation (Code Section 51-1-29.3) that provides immunity for AED use. This law protects:

The Person Using the AED:

Any individual who uses an AED in an emergency
Whether trained or untrained
As long as they act in good faith

Property Owners:

The owner or manager of property where an AED is located
Protection applies even if the device malfunctions

AED Program Managers:

People responsible for maintaining AED programs
Organizations that purchase and install AEDs

Why This Matters

AEDs are incredibly user-friendly devices designed for untrained bystanders. They:

Provide voice prompts telling you exactly what to do
Analyze the heart rhythm automatically
Will only deliver a shock if needed
Cannot harm someone who doesn’t need defibrillation

The law wants you to use these devices without hesitation. The extra layer of legal protection for AED use demonstrates Georgia’s commitment to increasing survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest.

AED Requirements in Georgia

Georgia law requires AEDs to be placed in:

High schools with interscholastic athletic programs
Facilities that perform sedation or anesthesia (dental offices, surgical centers)
Many workplaces choose to install them voluntarily

If you encounter an AED in a public space and someone needs it, use it without fear of legal consequences.

Healthcare Professionals: Are You Covered? {#healthcare-professionals}

If you’re a doctor, nurse, paramedic, EMT, or other healthcare professional, you might wonder: “Does the Good Samaritan Law apply to me when I’m off duty?”

The answer is YES—with some important details.

Off-Duty Medical Professionals

Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law explicitly includes licensed healthcare professionals who provide emergency care outside their normal work setting. This includes:

Physicians and surgeons
Registered nurses (RNs)
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
Paramedics and EMTs
Dentists
Pharmacists
Physician assistants
Nurse practitioners
Respiratory therapists
Any other licensed medical professional

Key Conditions for Healthcare Professionals

To receive Good Samaritan protection, healthcare professionals must:

Be off-duty and outside their normal work environment
- If you’re on shift at your hospital, you’re not covered by Good Samaritan Law
- If you’re at a restaurant and someone collapses, you ARE covered
Provide care voluntarily and without charge
- You cannot bill for your services
- You cannot accept payment or gifts in exchange for care
Act in good faith
- You’re genuinely trying to help
- You’re not being grossly negligent or reckless

What About “Duty to Act”?

Some people wonder if medical professionals have a legal duty to help in emergencies. In Georgia:

There is NO general duty for medical professionals to stop and help
The decision to assist is voluntary
Once you start helping, you should continue until relieved by other medical professionals or EMS

Special Protections for Healthcare Workers

Georgia has additional provisions (Code Section 51-1-29.2) that extend Good Samaritan protections to healthcare workers who:

Volunteer at free health clinics
Provide free services to schools
Provide free services to nonprofit organizations
Assist during disasters and emergencies

These protections apply as long as the services are provided free of charge and the healthcare worker doesn’t demonstrate gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Emergency Department Exception

Georgia Code Section 51-1-29.5 provides additional protections for healthcare providers working in hospital emergency departments. In emergency situations, liability is limited to cases of gross negligence, rather than ordinary negligence, recognizing the challenging conditions under which emergency care is often provided.

The 911 Medical Amnesty Law (Drug Overdoses) {#911-amnesty-law}

In 2014, Georgia passed House Bill 965, creating the Georgia 911 Medical Amnesty Law (Georgia Code § 16-13-5). This law functions similarly to the Good Samaritan Law but specifically addresses drug and alcohol overdose situations.

Why This Law Was Needed

Before this law, many people hesitated to call 911 during overdose emergencies because they feared arrest for drug possession. This hesitation cost lives. The 911 Medical Amnesty Law removes that fear.

What the Law Protects

If you call 911 for someone experiencing a drug or alcohol overdose, you and the victim receive limited immunity from:

Drug-Related Charges:

Possession of small amounts of drugs
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Evidence obtained as a result of the 911 call

Alcohol-Related Charges (for minors):

Underage possession of alcohol
Underage consumption of alcohol

Other Violations:

Violation of protective or restraining orders
Violation of probation conditions
Violation of parole conditions
Violation of pretrial release conditions

What the Law Does NOT Protect

The 911 Medical Amnesty Law does NOT provide immunity for:

Drug trafficking or sales
Intent to distribute drugs
DUI/DWI offenses
Outstanding warrants unrelated to the overdose
Weapons charges
Other serious criminal offenses

Naloxone (Narcan) Protection

The 911 Medical Amnesty Law also expanded access to naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication. Under this law:

Anyone can obtain naloxone from Georgia pharmacies without a personal prescription
Anyone can administer naloxone to someone experiencing an opioid overdose
All persons are immune from civil, criminal, and professional licensing liability when administering naloxone in good faith

This means if you’re trained in naloxone administration (often covered in CPR courses), you can carry and use it without fear of legal consequences.

The “Don’t Run – Call 911” Message

The key takeaway from this law: If you witness an overdose, call 911 immediately. The law protects you, and every second counts in saving a life.

According to Georgia Department of Public Health data, fentanyl overdose deaths have increased dramatically in recent years. Quick administration of naloxone by bystanders, combined with rapid EMS response, can reverse these overdoses and save lives.

When Protection Does NOT Apply {#when-not-protected}

While Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law provides broad protection, there are situations where you may NOT be covered. Understanding these exceptions is crucial.

You Are NOT Protected If:

1. You Charge for Your Services

If you bill someone or accept payment for emergency care, you’re no longer acting as a Good Samaritan. You become a paid service provider, and standard medical malpractice rules apply.

This includes:

Direct billing
Accepting insurance payments
Receiving gifts or compensation in exchange for care

2. You Act with Gross Negligence or Willful Misconduct

“Gross negligence” means actions that show a reckless disregard for the safety of others. Examples include:

Performing medical procedures you know you’re not qualified to perform
Ignoring obvious signs that your actions are causing harm
Acting while significantly impaired by drugs or alcohol
Intentionally causing harm while pretending to help

3. You’re Acting Within Your Professional Duties

If you’re on duty as a medical professional and providing care is part of your job, Good Samaritan Law doesn’t apply. Examples:

A nurse treating patients during their shift
An EMT responding to a 911 call while on duty
A physician treating patients in their medical office
A lifeguard performing a rescue during their work hours

4. You’re Not at the Scene of an Emergency

The law protects “emergency care at the scene.” It doesn’t apply to:

Pre-scheduled medical appointments
Follow-up care days or weeks after an incident
Non-emergency situations
Medical advice given casually outside an emergency context

5. You Continue Care Beyond the Emergency

Good Samaritan protection covers immediate emergency response. If you:

Continue treating someone after the emergency has passed
Set up ongoing care arrangements
Take on a formal patient-provider relationship

You may no longer be protected under Good Samaritan Law.

Grey Areas and Court Interpretations

Some situations fall into grey areas:

Moving an Injured Person: Generally protected if there’s immediate danger (fire, traffic, etc.), but courts may scrutinize whether moving was necessary.

Ignoring a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Order: If you’re aware of a valid DNR order and perform CPR anyway, you may not be protected.

Performing CPR on Someone Who Refuses: If a conscious, competent adult refuses CPR and you force it on them, you may not be protected.

The Standard: Reasonable Actions in Good Faith

Georgia courts have consistently held that the Good Samaritan Law protects people who act reasonably under the circumstances. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be genuinely trying to help and not acting recklessly.

Common Myths About CPR Liability {#common-myths}

Let’s debunk some persistent myths that prevent people from getting CPR certified or using their training in emergencies.

Myth #1: “I Can Be Sued If I Break Someone’s Ribs During CPR”

FALSE. Rib fractures are a common and expected result of proper CPR, especially in elderly individuals. Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law explicitly protects you from liability for injuries that occur as a natural consequence of life-saving efforts.

The Truth: If you’re performing CPR correctly, you SHOULD be compressing the chest 2-2.4 inches deep. This depth is often enough to crack ribs, particularly in people with osteoporosis or brittle bones. Judges and juries understand this reality.

Myth #2: “I Need to Be Certified to Be Protected”

FALSE. While CPR certification is highly recommended (and we strongly encourage you to get certified), Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law protects ANYONE who provides emergency care in good faith—trained or untrained.

The Truth: You’re protected whether you learned CPR in a formal class, watched a video online, or are just doing your best based on what you’ve seen on TV. That said, proper training dramatically increases the effectiveness of your efforts and your confidence in using the skills.

Myth #3: “If the Person Dies, I Could Be Held Responsible”

FALSE. The Good Samaritan Law specifically states you’re not liable “as a result of any act or omission” in providing emergency care. This includes unsuccessful resuscitation attempts.

The Truth: Cardiac arrest has a low survival rate even with professional intervention. Your attempt to help—even if unsuccessful—is legally protected. The person was already in life-threatening danger; you’re not responsible for the outcome.

Myth #4: “I’m Only Protected If I Follow CPR Guidelines Perfectly”

FALSE. Courts do not require perfect technique for Good Samaritan protection. You’re protected as long as you’re acting in good faith and attempting to help.

The Truth: While following proper CPR guidelines (compressions at the right depth and rate, proper hand positioning, etc.) will make your efforts more effective, legal protection doesn’t depend on textbook-perfect execution.

Myth #5: “Healthcare Professionals Can’t Be Sued Even If They’re Negligent”

FALSE. The protection is limited to gross negligence. If a healthcare professional acts with ordinary negligence while providing emergency care as a Good Samaritan, they’re still protected. But gross negligence or willful misconduct is not protected.

The Truth: Healthcare professionals have the same protections as anyone else under the Good Samaritan Law, with the same limitations.

Myth #6: “I Should Wait for Professionals Rather Than Help”

DANGEROUS MYTH. In cardiac arrest, brain damage begins within 4-6 minutes, and death can occur within 10 minutes. EMS average response time in Augusta is 8-10 minutes.

The Truth: Immediate bystander CPR can double or triple survival rates. Waiting for professionals often means waiting too long. Georgia law protects you specifically so you DON’T wait.

Myth #7: “I Need the Person’s Consent Before Performing CPR”

PARTIALLY FALSE. If someone is unconscious or unresponsive, the law assumes “implied consent”—they would want you to save their life if they could consent.

The Truth:

Unconscious person: Implied consent applies; you can help
Conscious person who refuses: You must respect their wishes
Children: Parents must consent if present; otherwise implied consent applies

Myth #8: “Family Members Can Sue Me Afterward”

VERY UNLIKELY. While technically possible, such lawsuits are extraordinarily rare and almost always dismissed under Good Samaritan protection.

The Truth: In over 60 years since Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law was enacted, there has been no documented case of a successful lawsuit against a bystander who performed CPR in good faith during an emergency.

Real-World Scenarios {#real-world-scenarios}

Let’s look at specific situations to understand how Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law applies in practice.

Scenario 1: Restaurant Collapse

Situation: You’re eating dinner at a restaurant in Augusta when a man at a nearby table suddenly clutches his chest and collapses. He’s unconscious and not breathing normally.

Your Action: You call 911, begin chest compressions, and continue CPR until EMS arrives 8 minutes later. During CPR, you hear/feel ribs cracking. The man survives but has several fractured ribs.