OLR Report 2013-R-0199 summarizes the liability protections for Connecticut volunteers. It covers Connecticut laws.
(OLR is not authorized to give legal opinions and this report should not be considered one.)
Connecticut statutes make volunteers engaged in certain activities immune from lawsuits arising from acts of ordinary negligence. The primary source of volunteer protection is the state's Good Samaritan Law, which covers volunteers who provide emergency medical assistance or first aid. Other laws protect civil preparedness personnel, unpaid members of municipal or nonprofit corporation boards, and similar organizations.
With some exceptions, these laws do not immunize (1) volunteers from claims for damages caused by gross or willful and wanton misconduct or (2) organizations for which the immunized person is working or volunteering from liability for a volunteer's negligence.
The report also describes other laws that immunize landowners from liability in certain circumstances.
For more information, read the full report.
