[Buzz]

Automatically, I am against frivolous lawsuits and the suing of well intentioned people, but after reading the details of the incident, I have to ask how far should the good samaritan act extend to protect someone who panics and acts irrationally - even foolishly - while attempting to "help" someone else?

If some kind soul in a department store pushes you down the stairs to save you from being hit by a runaway shopping cart and you broke your arm (or your neck) how would that play out?

According to others on the scene, there was no indication of a reasonable chance that the car was going to explode. The samaritan apparently panicked, jerked the victim out of the car and dropped her on the ground right next to it. Someone thinking rationally would have acted differently. If her poor judgement and rash action indeed contributed to the spinal damage and resultant paralysis; how do you feel about it looking from the point of view of the person who now, instead of a few weeks in traction and a neckbrace, is facing a life sentence in a wheelchair?

Its a sad situation for sure, and I feel for both sides of the issue, but at the end of the day we all have to accept responsibility for our actions, even when our intentions are good. If you, like me, cannot in good conscience walk away from a fellow human being in distress, it is wise to at least prepare yourself with a bit of knowledge and forethought before jumping into a situation and finding yourself out of your depth - yes/no?