City Policy Sought on Aiding Good Samaritans
A City Council committee asked city attorneys Monday to examine whether Los Angeles should pay legal fees for “good Samaritans” who are sued after helping city employees during rescue operations.
Councilman Richard Alatorre, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, asked the city attorney’s office to make recommendations within two weeks regarding the city’s involvement in a civil suit against Lancaster construction worker Jim Campbell, and report back in 60 days with a policy statement to define the city’s position.
Campbell, 31, and an off-duty Los Angeles police officer are being sued by the victim of a Jan. 30 freeway accident who alleges that the men did not adequately safeguard her from injury.
Councilman Joel Wachs presented a motion to the committee on behalf of Campbell proposing that the city cover his defense costs because he was aiding a police officer at the accident scene, and as such, had been deputized.
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