Current Events > Do you have to pay $ when you get rescued?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Examples:
You're hiking, get hurt, and seek aid. The local government sends a search and rescue team to rescue you.

There's intense flooding everywhere and a search and rescue helicopter airlifts you out.

You're out on a boat (in international waters) that's been commandeered. The navy comes and frees you.


In all these examples, would you be liable for the cost of the rescue effort....?

I believe they definitely can charge you for things that were deemed irresponsible and avoidable (eg, search party required because you went fishing in a storm) - which is fair enough IMO because other people are having to risk their lives because of your stupidity.

Actually, I've just googled this and it comes down to individual state law.

Gave the example of a hiker in New Hampshire charged $9K who got into difficulty on a trail walk in bad weather - they decided there were factors that amounted to negligence (advance weather warning, and the guy had a history of knee problems). In some states it just comes out the taxpayer pot.

I think generally these things are covered by taxes. It's like if your house is on fire, you don't have to pay the fire department, because your taxes go towards them. Same concept with Coast Guard, Military etc.
---

It's probably going to depend on if the state is contributory or comparative negligence. Even then there may be overriding factors such as rescue being an exception. Short answer; it's probably going to depend on the state.
---

ArchiePeck posted...

Actually, I've just googled this and it comes down to individual state law.

Gave the example of a hiker in New Hampshire charged $9K who got into difficulty on a trail walk in bad weather - they decided there were factors that amounted to negligence (advance weather warning, and the guy had a history of knee problems). In some states it just comes out the taxpayer pot.

Nomadic View posted...

It's probably going to depend on if the state is contributory or comparative negligence. Even then there may be overriding factors such as rescue being an exception. Short answer; it's probably going to depend on the state.

wow that sucks. I sort of expected it to be all covered under our taxes.

Well, taxes will cover you having a genuine innocent unforeseen accident. But I'm not footing the bill for outright stupidity like taking a fishing boat out at night in storm weather and getting into difficulty.

It generally has to do with negligence. If you are hiking on a posted trail on a clear day and fall down a slope and break your leg they won't charge you.

If you decided to go outside the boundaries on a ski hill and got stuck in the back country they will charge you because you consciously chose to do something dangerous.
---