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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>76000</law_id><section_number>44-146.23</section_number><catch_line>Immunity from liability</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>8.01-225.01</reference><reference>8.01-581.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="44">Military and Emergency Laws</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Emergency Services and Disaster Law</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Neither the Commonwealth, nor any <span class="dictionary">political subdivision</span> thereof, nor federal agencies, nor other public or private agencies, nor, except in cases of willful misconduct, public or private employees, nor representatives of any of them, engaged in any <span class="dictionary">emergency services</span> activities, while complying with or attempting to comply with this chapter or any rule, regulation, or executive <span class="dictionary">order</span> promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall be liable for the death of, or any injury to, persons or damage to property as a result of such activities. The provisions of this section shall not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he would otherwise be entitled under this chapter, or under the Workers&#x2019; Compensation Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title" href="/65.2-100/">65.2-100</a> et seq.), or under any pension <span class="dictionary">law</span>, nor the right of any such person to receive any benefits or compensation under any act of Congress. For the purposes of the immunity conferred by this subsection, representatives of public or private employees shall include, but shall not be limited to, volunteers in state and local services who are persons who serve in a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit or on a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). <a id="paragraph-272818" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any person owning or controlling real estate or other premises who voluntarily and without compensation grants a license or <span class="dictionary">privilege</span>, or otherwise permits the designation or use of the whole or any part or parts of such real estate or premises for the purpose of sheltering persons, of emergency access or of other uses relating to <span class="dictionary">emergency services</span> shall, together with his successors in interest, if any, not be liable for negligently causing the death of, or injury to any person on or about such real estate or premises or for loss of or damage to the property of any person on or about such real estate or premises during such actual or impending <span class="dictionary">disaster</span>. <a id="paragraph-272819" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> If any person holds a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any state, or <span class="dictionary">political subdivision</span> thereof, evidencing the meeting of qualifications for professional, mechanical, or other skills, the person, without compensation other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses, may render aid involving that skill in the Commonwealth during a <span class="dictionary">disaster</span>, and such person shall not be liable for negligently causing the death of, or injury to, any person or for the loss of, or damage to, the property of any person resulting from such service. <a id="paragraph-272820" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> No person, firm or corporation which gratuitously services or repairs any electronic devices or equipment under the provisions of this section after having been approved for the purposes by the State Coordinator shall be liable for negligently causing the death of, or injury to, any person or for the loss of, or damage to, the property of any person resulting from any defect or imperfection in any such device or equipment so gratuitously serviced or repaired. <a id="paragraph-272821" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Notwithstanding any <span class="dictionary">law</span> to the contrary, no <span class="dictionary">individual</span>, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity shall be liable in civil <span class="dictionary">damages</span> as a result of acts taken voluntarily and without compensation in the course of rendering care, assistance, or advice with respect to an incident creating a danger to person, property, or the environment as a result of an actual or threatened <span class="dictionary">discharge</span> of a hazardous substance, or in preventing, cleaning up, treating, or disposing of or attempting to prevent, clean up, treat, or dispose of any such <span class="dictionary">discharge</span>, provided that such acts are taken under the direction of state or local authorities responding to the incident. This section shall not preclude liability for civil <span class="dictionary">damages</span> as a result of gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span>, <span class="dictionary">recklessness</span> or willful misconduct. The provisions of this section shall not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he would otherwise be entitled under this chapter, or under the Workers&#x2019; Compensation Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title" href="/65.2-100/">65.2-100</a> et seq.), or under any pension <span class="dictionary">law</span>, nor the right of any such person to receive any benefits or compensation under any act of Congress. The immunity provided by the provisions of this paragraph shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, any immunities provided by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Persons rendering emergency care, obstetrical services exempt from liability" href="/8.01-225/">8.01-225</a>. <a id="paragraph-272822" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> No <span class="dictionary">individual</span>, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, fraternal organization, religious organization, charitable organization, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, officer, director, representative, or agent thereof, who, without compensation other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses, provides services, goods, real or personal property, or facilities: <a id="paragraph-272823" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Pursuant to a Governor-declared emergency or during a formal exercise or training of the State Department of Emergency Management or a responsible county or city emergency management entity; and <a id="paragraph-272824" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#F1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> At the request and direction of the State Department of Emergency Management or a county or city employee whose responsibilities include emergency management;
				shall be liable for the death of or injury to any person or for the loss of, or damage to, the property of any person where such death, injury, loss, or damage was proximately caused by the circumstances of the actual emergency or its subsequent conditions, or the circumstances of the formal exercise or training if such formal exercise or training simulates conditions of an actual emergency. This subsection shall not preclude liability for civil <span class="dictionary">damages</span> as a result of gross <span class="dictionary">negligence</span>, <span class="dictionary">recklessness</span>, or willful misconduct. The immunities of this subsection shall not extend to any manufacturer or to any retailer or distributor substantially involved in the manufacture or design of any product or good. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he would otherwise be entitled under this chapter, or under the Workers&#x2019; Compensation Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title" href="/65.2-100/">65.2-100</a> et seq.), or under any pension <span class="dictionary">law</span>, nor the right of any such person to receive any benefits or compensation under any act of Congress. The immunity provided by this subsection shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any immunities provided by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Persons rendering emergency care, obstetrical services exempt from liability" href="/8.01-225/">8.01-225</a>. <a id="paragraph-272825" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/44-146.23/#F2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1973, c. 260; 1979, c. 193; 1984, c. 743; 2005, c. 474; 2008, cc. 121, 157; 2009, c. 233.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
