Tennessee First Aid: What you need to know

Tennessee has its own regulatory program governing occupational safety and health (TN Code Sec. 50-3-101et seq.). The state program has adopted the first-aid standards of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) by reference. There is additional information and a detailed discussion of federal first-aid requirements. Please see the national First Aid section.

Any person (including doctors, emergency medical technicians, or volunteer first-aid or rescue people) who in good faith renders emergency care at the scene of an accident or medical emergency or disaster will not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission in rendering care except for damages resulting from gross negligence (TN Code Sec. 63-6-218).

A licensed physician may perform emergency medical treatment on a minor without parental consent or court order if the doctor has a good-faith belief that delay would result in a serious threat to the person's life or medical well-being and will not be liable for civil damages except those that result from gross negligence in rendering such care (TN Code Sec. 63-6-222).

Anyone (including medical personnel) who gratuitously renders emergency care, assistance, or advice on the request of a police or fire department or emergency or rescue squad or any governmental agency at the scene of an accident involving the use, handling, transportation, or storage of hazardous materials will not be liable for damages unless the damage was caused by the person's gross negligence (TN Code Sec. 68-131-202).