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Good Samaritan Research Paper

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Good Samaritan Research Paper
Nouf AlRujaib
Professor Deniz Perin
English 294
19 November 2015
Good Samaritan Laws
Countless people are familiar with the term Samaritan, but the amount of people who comprehend the actual meaning of the word is scarce. The term ‘Good Samaritan’ derives from a parable told by Jesus Christ and is mentioned in the bible. In the story, the ‘Good Samaritan’ witnesses a “half dead man”, so he “[takes] pity on him”, and offers him bandages along with shelter (Luke 10:30-35). This parable is evidence that assisting strangers is existent from the beginning of human history, excluding the minority who choose not to aid a soul in need. In order to prevent this from happening, force must be used to help the victims of injury. The United States of America …show more content…
If one decides to help a person in need, he might actually worsen the situation and increase the size of the injury, which might cause the fellow Good Samaritan to be liable to legal issues. As a result, a lot of people prefer being bystanders instead of helpers in order to prevent legal issues. However, many states are issuing laws to protect fellow Samaritans from facing legal issues. North California issued a law that protects “any person who renders first aid or emergency assistance (Sjoerdsma 360)”, even if they inflict harm on the victim. Consequently, Virginia has issued similar laws legally protecting a person who chooses to “renders emergency care or assistance, without compensation (360)”. Naturally though, with Good Samaritan laws being legislated, corresponding laws will be issued to protect the Good Samaritan.
In conclusion, people should be required by law to offer assistance to victims in need. Assisting people is part of human nature, and our laws should reflect on our human character. Human beings have a duty to assist people in need, but they must remember to put their needs above the needs of others. Albeit the arguments of many people in need, Good Samaritans were present from the beginning of mankind, continued until the Bibilical times, and still continue to this
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