More and more, local governments are providing for additional requirements regarding automated external defibrillators (“AED”). An AED is a portable medical instrument that delivers an electrical impulse to the heart to disrupt and correct an otherwise fatal irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and allows a normal rhythm to resume. These local government requirements may mandate installation of an AED and other life-saving equipment, as well as additional requirements which must be followed.
Specifically, the Broward County Amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code (“FFPC”) now require community associations to purchase and install both an AED and Stop the Bleed Kits (SBKs) on every other floor, starting with the first floor if the residential building is five or more stories. According to the FFPC, a 10-story building must have these devices installed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th floors before October 24, 2023. Both AED and SBK devices must also be verified on an annual basis. The Broward County Amendments to the FFPC include other important regulations concerning placement, signage, housing, maintenance, mandatory periodic training and other requirements. Additionally, the person offering AED assistance must contact 9-1-1 immediately prior to or immediately upon use thereof.
To read these Broward County Amendment to the FFPC, CLICK HERE.
Regarding the use of an AED in general, according to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest (“SCA”) is a leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that more than 350,000 lives are taken each year due to the abrupt loss of heart function. However, with technological advances, the number of deaths due to SCA have been lowered through the use of anAED.. Although AEDs have been credited with saving countless lives by making it possible for non-medical individuals to respond to a medical emergency, the question for your community association to ask is: “Is the liability worth the risk?”
The purchase and availability of AEDs is primarily controlled by state and federal laws and regulations, and as explained above, more and more local governments are enacting additional installation and compliance procedures. Pursuant to Florida law, AEDs are required to be installed in public schools, dental offices, and assisted living facilities. AEDs are optional in state parks and state owned or leased facilities. While generally, there is no requirement that community associations in Florida install AED devices on association property and/or association fitness facilities, that is not always the case, most especially for Broward County.
When installing AED devices, associations must ensure that all parties (i.e., property management, board of directors, residents, and any other authorized user) understand the potential liability associated with the use of an AED and the protections afforded to them under Florida law.
“The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act” (“Cardiac Act”), codified in section 768.1325 of the Florida Statutes, was enacted by the Legislature in order to encourage consumer purchase, placement, and use of AEDs. The Cardiac Act only applies to situations in which an AED is used to resuscitate an individual. In situations not involving an AED, the “Good Samaritan Act” codified in section 768.13 of the Florida Statutes applies. The Good Samaritan Act provides that:
“Any person, including those licensed to practice medicine, who gratuitously and in good faith renders emergency care or treatment…at the scene of an emergency outside of a hospital, doctor’s office, or other place having proper medical equipment, without objection of the injured victim[s], shall not be held liable for any civil damages… where the person acts as an ordinary reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.”
The Cardiac Act shields the AED’s owner and its operator who used it in an effort to render aide from liability in the event of a perceived medical emergency. A perceived medical emergency occurs when a reasonable person believes that an individual is experiencing a life-threatening medical condition involving the heart that requires an immediate medical response. Pursuant to the Cardiac Act, the user of an AED is immune from liability for any resulting harm from the use or attempted use on the victim if:
The Cardiac Act further extends immunity to community associations organized under Chapters 617, 718, 719, 720, 721, and 723 of the Florida Statutes. However, the shield of immunity afforded to community associations can be potentially pierced if the harm caused to the victim was due to the failure of the association to properly maintain and test the AED device. There could also be local government requirements which require proper adherence, too. Additionally, immunity will not be granted to the association if the harm was due to the association’s failure to provide appropriate training to the employee or agent of the association when the employee or agent was the person who actually used the device on the victim. However, training by the association will not be required if any of the following is met:
Even though training may not be required for one of the reasons set forth above, common sense dictates that any key personnel, such as the staff in charge of athletic activities and the manager, should be trained in the use of the AED device. In regard to where the AED should be installed, the Cardiac Act does not provide guidance. Again, common sense dictates it should be in a visible area. Also, an insurer cannot exclude damages resulting from the use of an AED from coverage under a general liability policy issued to the community association.
In relation to immunity extended to “the person,” the Cardiac Act further provides that the user will not be immune from liability if:
Should you have any further questions about whether or not your local government requires installation of AED’s and other life-saving equipment please contact your association’s attorney.
Jeffrey Rembaum, Esq. of Kaye, Bender, Rembaum attorneys at law, legal practice consists of representation of condominium, homeowner, commercial and mobile home park associations, as well as exclusive country club communities and the developers who build them. Mr. Rembaum is a Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law. He is the creator of ‘Rembaum’s Association Roundup’, an e-magazine devoted to the education of community association board members, managers, developers and anyone involved with Florida’s community associations. His column appears monthly in the Florida Community Association Journal. Every year since 2012, Mr. Rembaum has been selected to the Florida Super Lawyers list and was also named Legal Elite by Florida Trends Magazine. He can be reached at 561-241-4462.