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Can I sue 911 for not responding?

In most circumstances, a delayed or missing response does not make for a valid case. In Maryland, 911 personnel generally serve a duty to the public rather than a separate legal duty to every caller. If you simply called 911, or someone told you help was coming, only for it not to arrive, this generally is not enough.

An Attorney can evaluate whether the handling of the emergency caused harm and whether government immunity affects the claim.

Get legal advice promptly if you believe a failure to respond caused serious harm. Save your call history, messages, medical records, and a timeline, and ask about preserving 911 recordings and dispatch logs. Claims involving local government can have special notice requirements and deadlines, so do not assume that filing a complaint with the agency protects your right to sue.

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