Crisis Standards of Care and State Liability Shields

Abstract

In response to the very real possibility that there will be insufficient resources to properly respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, states have been developing crisis standard of care plans, which may authorize the prioritization of patients for scarce resources based on changing circumstances and increased demands. Due to the dearth of necessary resources and trained professionals during a public health emergency, the standard of care that clinicians may be able to provide during the Covid-19 pandemic may, by necessity, depart significantly from standard non-emergency medical practice. Adhering to crisis standards of care may expose health care providers and entities to considerable costs and burdens, including the risk of both civil and criminal liability. Liability shields may be necessary when, due to the circumstances of the emergency, a state faces scarce resources and the state activates its crisis standards of care. This article comprehensively evaluates state laws, passed both in advance of the current public health crisis and in response to Covid-19 pandemic. It concludes that liability protections are most appropriate in instances where health care providers and, in limited circumstances, health care institutions, follow, in good faith, rules, guidance, or protocols that are modified from the “norm” and necessitated by emergency circumstances or intended to respond to the circumstances of the public health crisis. Blanket immunity provisions are inappropriate. Rather, we should determine liability protections based on whether: (1) the federal government, state government, local government, professional society, or medical institution has provided rules, guidance, or crisis standards of care, elucidating the modifications to the existing standard of care required during the state of emergency; and (2) there is an identified need to extend legal protections to providers or institutions, based on perceived reluctance to follow crisis standards of care intended to save lives, due to fear of liability. While this proposal is narrower than what many states, some policymakers, and politicians have proposed, it is more likely to ensure accountability and protect vulnerable patients.

Keywords: public health law, covid-19, coronavirus, immunity, legal liability, negligence