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Can I be arrested for not calling 911 immediately when someone is dead

Asked Oct 19, 2011, 05:41 AM — 3 Answers
My boyfriend was a serious alcoholic. One morning he drank 3/4 of a half gallon of vodka in less than 2 hours. He went to bed and never woke up. I was drinking that morning as well and was a little intoxicated. I took a nap, woke up to a cold stiff body next to me. I have a medical background so I immediately felt his body (very cold), checked for a pulse and tried to arouse him, pulled up his eyelid and his eyes were rolled way back. He was also mottling already. I was in such shock, that I went into the living room for almost 2 hours not believing he was dead. I finally snapped out of it and called his mother and she called 911. Can I be charged or have a lawsuit against me for not calling 911 immediately? Thanks

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twinkiedooter's Avatar
twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 6046
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#2

Oct 21, 2011, 02:20 PM
No. You would be subject to criminal charges if he was still alive and you did not call for help. You may be subjected to a lot of police interrogation though as to just why you did not call right away.
ScottGem (Oct 21, 2011 06:21 PM):   Source:
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ScottGem Posts: 58,171, Reputation: 28165
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#3

Oct 21, 2011, 04:30 PM


While its unlikely, it is possible. There may be local laws that make it a crime not to report a death immediately. It may also make the death more suspicious to the police. Also you might be sued unless it can be proven that he was dead before you found him.
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Fr_Chuck Posts: 72,650, Reputation: 37036
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#4

Oct 21, 2011, 06:10 PM


The issue here will be the medical report and what they come up with as time of death. ( and cause of death)

Yes his family could also bring a civil suit against you. They can try and claim he was not dead when you found him, they could claim you were trying to make him drink that much, or pushed him to drink to much, or even why you did not stop him from drinking so much when you say him.

So I doubt there is any criminal charges, unless they beleive he may not have been dead at the time you said, but there could be a much greater chance of his family filing a law suit.
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