China’s Civil Code shields Good Samaritans from civil liability for accidental harm during rescues
2-MIN READ2-MINFran Luin BeijingPublished: 6:00pm, 1 Sep 2026A mahjong parlour owner in central China paid compensation of 19,000 yuan (US$2,800) following a failed first aid attempt on an elderly customer but received a refund after government intervention.
On August 17, a man in his 60s, surnamed Luo, visited the mahjong parlour in Hunan province and passed out while resting in a chair.
The shop’s owner, Xiao Aihua, sensed something was wrong with Luo and approached to administer first aid.
Believing that Luo had suffered from heatstroke, she dragged him a few steps outside to provide him with fresh air.
In her panic, Xiao struggled to dial emergency numbers, prompting a neighbour to call an ambulance, which arrived within 10 minutes. A witness reported that Luo was still alive when the ambulance picked him up, but regrettably, he died later.
