Paid to play

[Trevor]

Well, my Director at work suggested I should consider offering my services as a 4x4 Volunteer for the NHS over the next few days as there has been a radio campaign for Worcestshire and Warwickshire. It's good PR for the Company as they are very into supporting community initiatives.

My Company are covering my Diesel costs and I don't have to go into the office, I had the phone call today and I start in Warwickshire from 07-00 tomorrow, just awaiting final instructions.

I have done a number of tow assists and pulling people out of ditches this last 3 days so am looking forward to a short but interesting career as an essential services Taxi

I didn't quite realise having a Cruiser improves ones career too

 

[Navraj Singh]

Cool!!!!!!

Beats the MBA anytime. Was in the library the whole day

 

[Paul_Humphreys]

Join you local 4x4 Response group as this will give you insurance cover if anyone sues you!! Also you need to check with your insurance company to make it is ok with them or you might not be insured!!

Paul

 

[Gary Stockton]

Definitely join the local 4x4 Response - you don't want to be the subject of a 3rd party claim ....

 

[24Seven]

If the NHS are asking for Volunteers to get their staff in and out of work etc. then hopefully they will be covering any claims?

 

[Paul_Humphreys]

Not always Matt, you will not find out till after something happens. Also they will not cover you 4x4, and if you have not told/asked your insurance company they might void the claim.

Paul

 

[Trevor]

Sound advice Gents, after asking, no the NHS do not cover you in any way. It is assumed you have Business cover on your insurance (interesting I was never asked though).

Rang insurers and as this is a one off they will cover me.

I was reading the BORG site (Bucks/Oxon Response Group) as I'm thinking of joining (if they take LC's?) and you are in the same boat if you stop and assist someone i.e. towing up a hill in the snow or dragging someone out of a ditch on your way home.

I have done these things over the last week and never really stopped to think about it, just trying to be helpful but these days being helpful can lead to being sued......sigh....sad old world.

 

[adrianr]

Suppose you could voice record you offering them a disclaimer and them accepting so you have the evidence of the contract saved.

Or print some blanks and get them signed before you start.

 

[Crispin]

if you tell your insurance company, they have it on record and do not mind (Well, mine don't). Only conditions were no reward and no orange light.

Out of all the people I have helped, they have all been in agreement and actually just glad to have been helped. I think, unless you're being an idiot, you'd find yourself in court. That is just scaremongering and the root of a lot of problems. "Walk on by, it's safer"

Just help them for Pete's sake, they'll be appreciative. If they are hesitant, leave them and find someone else.
I would like to believe there are more sensible, honest people out there than not. If you are truely afraid of helping someone because of the recourse, drive by smugly in yuour 4x4

 

[adrianr]

Agree with you fully on that point.

help them all and believe most folk are basically good people. That said I do also tell them that if something breaks I will not consider any claim at all period.

Help em. Goodness knows when u might need the favour in return from some other kind soul.

 

[Chris]

Two sorts of law in the UK, criminal and civil. Unlikely to transgress criminal law, unless you kill someone and then that would be manslaughter and a police matter. In terms of civil law, there are three tests. A. that you owed the injured person a duty of car B. that you breached that duty in a negligent way, C. that the injury suffered was as a direct result of that breach. So simply getting hurt is not automatically a case for being sued successfully. What they don't tell you is the huge number of claims that fail. Many also get resolved before getting to court - which may if fought have actually failed. But people often cave in because they don't know how to defend.

It is very difficult in the UK for one citizen to sue another. Never mind what you hear on the radio etc, it is actually not easy and not that common. They might claim off your car insurance, but that is a different thing. You should have nothing to fear being a Samaritan in the UK as long as you do a proper job. That way it shouldn't go wrong and if it did, it would not have been a negligent act. But - if you don't know what you are doing, then don't do it. Negligence is the failure to act in the same manner as a competent person in the same position would have. Competency is a blend of the necessary ability, experience, knowledge and understanding of personal limitations. If you really don't know and understand what you are doing, then that cold be negligent. Ask yourself the following in any situation

1. What could go wrong - preparation
2. How will I stop that from happening - execution
3. What will I do if it does - recovery

If the answer at any stage is, 'No idea' then don't do it until you have another think.

Chris