With 250,000 people dying from sudden cardiac arrest annually, the topic of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is becoming more relevant to the news media. An AED can save the life of someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest if used within minutes of onset.

For every minute a defibrillator is not used during a sudden cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association estimates that the chance of surviving decreases by ten percent. So using an AED is very important. AEDs must be kept in public places such as schools and arenas. In Louisiana, the state passed legislation requiring AEDs to be placed in public places. These laws address the need for a fast reaction to sudden heart attacks in these locations.

The “automated external defibrillator, “or “AED,” a portable life-saving device, allows trained nonmedical personnel to treat a patient immediately, preventing as many as 50,000 deaths from happening each year. This means that a trained employee of any business could save a customer’s life who experiences sudden cardiac arrest. It’s simple to see the tremendous potential of the AED.

Unfortunately, state requirements for keeping AEDs available in public places like schools or arenas vary widely. If you find yourself suffering from a heart attack somewhere without one, you might miss out on an opportunity to be saved. Our team of AED injury attorneys at the Scott Vicknair LLC understands your legal rights, and we are committed to getting you the compensation you deserve. We do everything possible to help you recover from your injuries and get back to living your life.

Public Places and AED Injury Liability

At the state level in Louisiana, some laws have been enacted to require AEDs to be present in certain public places. Schools, for example, must have an AED available to participate in certain sporting events, including most public schools and universities.

Under the right conditions, other places that might be required to have an AED on-site might include:

  • Golf courses
  • NCAA and high school athletic programs
  • Airports
  • Sports stadiums (including high school sporting events)
  • Gyms
  • Theme parks
  • Dentist’s offices
  • Medical offices
  • Nursing homes