Who pays for the helicopter if you get stuck on a mt.? (Phoenix: insurance, lawyers)

[AZgarden]

If you get injured or overheated and can't get down after you went up hiking, who pays if a helicopter has to come and rescue you? Is it the county, your personal insurance, or just the taxpayers? Will you get a bill for this in the mail?

And if you don't have insurance, who pays this bill? Does Medicaid (Ahcccs) cover this? Just wondering, since it seems like it happens more and more lately.

[LocoAZnative]

If you are referring to the 2 14yr olds they just rescued good luck collection from them. AZ does have the stupid motorist law where you pay for your rescue if you drive past the signs and have to be rescued.

[caryberry]

That sounds like a great question for one of the "investigative" local channel news show!

[LBTRS]

You and I do...

[rgscpat]

It's a balancing act in setting public policy between discouraging and encouraging frivolous behavior versus saving lives. If people always had to pay the true cost of their rescues, some would be reluctant to call for help when they truly need it -- and could die. For the most part, first-world countries have decided that is a Bad Thing. At the other extreme are those who abuse the system by "crying wolf", mis-using emergency communications, etc., and who can be held liable, sometimes, criminally in the case of fake "mayday" radio transmissions. It's also an uneven set-up, with people in some places getting free ambulance rides from municipalities but in many others having to pay for commercial emergency transportation. On the ocean, the US Coast Guard will respond only to save lives; people who merely need a tow have to ante up and pay a commercial service. On land, it's similar; people who aren't injured or in danger had better have towing insurance or an auto club membership.

One of the big beefs among wildnerness emergency responders is the false sense of security that modern communications seem to give some people who think they can be easily and immediately pulled out of danger in the deepest wilderness and who take poor or no responsibility for their own safety. These clueless pilgrims can place themselves and their would-be rescuers in considerable danger -- especially in places like the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Also, a lot of rescuers are unpaid volunteers who put themselves at some risk and donate many hours of their time and effort in helping others. Not everyone seems aware of their contributions and sacrifices.

[Valley Native]

This is a good example of why we need a stupid hiker law. I'm one who normally doesn't favor more laws ... however, we already have a stupid motorist law in which people who drive through flooded washes must pay for their own rescues. This saves taxpayers the expense of rescuing the drivers who are careless & idiotic, and it has worked just fine. The same concept should apply to these amateurish hikers who become lost & require a rescue.

I have written to some state lawmakers as well as Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon about this idea, only to receive no response (no surprise there). At this point, I am pretty fed up with hearing about these idiotic hikers who climb Camelback Mountain, South Mountain, or whatever mountain, and end up taking up valuable time away from the fire departments to be carried off the cliffs. If they're going to be stupid enough in the first place, then they need to be paying for their own rescues. In the case of the two teenagers who had to be rescued today, it should be the parents who pay the dues ... not the taxpayers!

[AZgarden]

Valley Native: I agree totally. And its on the news all the time, so that other kids probably think its cool, decide to go do it, so THEY can get a ride in a helicopter too. We need to get this changed. Parents should be responsible.

[Ponderosa]

The "stupid motorist law" charges people WHO DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES and get stuck only. You must drive around a barricade i.e. violate a traffic law to be liable. Getting lost or slipping or twisting your ankle on a rock is an entirely different matter than willful disobedience of an ordinance.

Helping each other out of a jam is a uniquely human thing. We rescue cats stuck in trees, puppies in a sewer, little girls who fall down a well, and dumb teenagers who bite off more than they can chew while hiking. I'm OK with all that. I am proud we live in a city that has these kind of professionals, volunteers and resources. I don't mind my tax dollars being used for it. It seems to me that it is one of the better things that government does with my money.

[blisterpeanuts]

The real question is, if I slip on a rock on a mountain trail and break my ankle, who can I sue?

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by blisterpeanuts

The real question is, if I slip on a rock on a mountain trail and break my ankle, who can I sue?

Call 1800LAWYERSSUEANYBODY