What are the four elements that must be proven for a negligence claim in EMS?

In a negligence claim, particularly in the context of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the four essential elements that must be established are duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

• Duty refers to the responsibility that EMS providers have to act in accordance with the standard of care expected in their profession. This establishes that the provider had an obligation to the patient.

• Breach of Duty occurs when the EMS provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care. This could be any action or inaction that a competent provider would not have undertaken under similar circumstances.

• Causation links the breach of duty to the injuries sustained by the patient. It must be shown that the breach directly caused or significantly contributed to the patient's harm.

• Damages represent the actual harm or injury suffered by the patient as a result of the negligence. This can involve physical injury, financial loss, or emotional distress.

This framework underlines the legal basis for pursuing a negligence claim and emphasizes the importance of proper conduct by EMS professionals in their duties.