The city of Los Angeles has indicated a desire to bill two good Samaritans—both electrocuted while trying to save an accident victim—for paramedic services, as required by municipal ordinance.

The authorities are still sorting out the horror of August 22 when the solo occupant of an SUV lost control and took out a utility pole and a fire hydrant, before leaving two good Samaritans dead and five others injured.  

Meanwhile, the fire department will figure out the paramedic billing for the innocent victims.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey told City News Service that the municipal code does not make billing exceptions for good Samaritans or victims of violent crime.

“We can't decide who's innocent, who gets a bill and who doesn't,” Humphrey said. “We have no control over this. We are mandated by the city council and the mayor to bill citizens for the services rendered by paramedics and that's what we do.”

There may be some flexibility in the process, though. Los Angeles billed $73.7 million for paramedic services between 2004 and 2011. During those seven years, the city collected $27 million and wrote down $9.4 million, leaving $37.3 million uncollected from 92,403 people—all of which was ultimately written off by the city council, according to City News Service.  

A week after the accident, Humphrey said the billing was being reconsidered by fire officials.

–Ken Broder

To Learn More:

Families of Electrocution Victims in Valley Village May Now be Spared Paramedic-Service Fees (by Jim Crogan, City News Service)

Families of Good Samaritans Killed by Electrocution in Valley Village Crash Must Still Pay City Paramedic Fees (by Jim Crogan, City News Service)

Two Die Trying to Assist Victims of Valley Village Traffic Collision (LAFD News & Information)