I GAVE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO A NEIGHBOR, SAVED HER LIFE, AND I ENDED UP IN COURT

On a brisk autumn evening, a pivotal moment unfolded. After finishing my dinner, I stepped outside to dispose of the trash when I observed something alarming. My neighbor, Mrs. Langley, an elderly woman in her late sixties, was on her porch, clutching her chest.

Her expression was one of agony, her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps, and then—she fell to the ground. A surge of adrenaline coursed through me. Without hesitation, I rushed to her side. “Mrs. Langley? Can you hear me?” I inquired, gently shaking her. There was no reply. Her lips were beginning to turn blue.

“Call an ambulance!” I yelled toward my house, hoping my wife, Karen, would respond. She quickly appeared at the door, phone in hand, providing our address to the emergency operator.

I knelt beside her and checked for a pulse. It was faint. Her breathing was shallow and erratic. My CPR training from years past resurfaced. I tilted her head back and commenced chest compressions. Thirty compressions followed by two rescue breaths. I continued, my arms aching from the exertion, as the minutes stretched on.

When the ambulance finally arrived, I was drenched in sweat, my hands shaking. The paramedics took charge, swiftly stabilizing her condition. One of them, a tall man with a determined demeanor, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“You saved her life,” he remarked. “Without CPR, she wouldn’t have survived.” A wave of relief washed over me as I observed them transferring her onto the gurney and into the ambulance. The sirens blared as they rushed away.

In the following days, I felt a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of having made a significant impact. However, a week later, I was confronted with a harsh reality.

A subpoena was delivered to my home.

Mrs. Langley was suing me.

Initially, I assumed it was a misunderstanding. Why would she take legal action against me after I had saved her life? But as I perused the legal documents, my stomach churned. She alleged that my “aggressive” CPR had resulted in multiple rib fractures and internal injuries, leading to pain, medical costs, and emotional distress.

I felt nauseated. I had been trying to help.
Karen, always the rational thinker, attempted to soothe my anxiety. “Perhaps this is merely a misunderstanding. It would be prudent to consult a lawyer before making any assumptions.”

We proceeded to do so, and the lawyer validated my deepest concerns.

“Legally speaking,” he remarked while adjusting his spectacles, “she has a legitimate case. CPR can occasionally result in rib fractures, particularly in elderly individuals. If she alleges excessive force or injury, this matter could escalate to trial.”

“Excessive force?” I retorted incredulously. “She was on the verge of death!”

The lawyer exhaled deeply. “I understand your perspective. However, the legalities can become quite complex.”

A wave of unease washed over me. I had encountered online reports of Good Samaritans facing lawsuits, but I never imagined I would find myself in such a predicament.

The day of the court hearing arrived more swiftly than I had anticipated. Standing before the judge, I encountered Mrs. Langley for the first time since the incident. She appeared frail, seated in her wheelchair, with a neck brace encircling her delicate frame. The sight evoked a sense of guilt within me, despite my conviction that I had acted correctly.

Her attorney portrayed me as a reckless, untrained bystander who had inflicted more harm than assistance. He referenced bruises, fractured ribs, and the psychological distress of awakening in the hospital in agony.

I clenched my jaw. “Your Honor, I adhered to established CPR protocols. My intention was to save her life. The paramedics confirmed that she would not have survived without immediate action.”

Mrs. Langley’s attorney retorted, “Yet, she now endures significant pain and financial difficulties as a result of your actions.”

The judge listened intently, occasionally making notes. The atmosphere in the courtroom was thick with tension.

Then came an unexpected turn of events.
Midway through the proceedings, my lawyer rose with new evidence. He presented a document to the judge and gestured toward Mrs. Langley.

“Your Honor, we have acquired the hospital records.” He then addressed the plaintiff. “Mrs. Langley, could you clarify why you submitted an insurance claim for compensation a full day prior to initiating legal action against my client?”

A murmur spread through the courtroom.

Her attorney stiffened. Mrs.