If injured or out of pocket while rescuing someone, pursue the responsible party and medical coverage, then apply for formal courageous-rescue recognition
Rescue-related losses need not be borne alone. Chinese policy calls for treatment before charging recognized courageous rescuers. The perpetrator or responsible party pays medical costs; where absent, missing or unable to pay, basic medical-security arrangements apply. Without a tortfeasor, the beneficiary may owe appropriate compensation under law. Recognition can also unlock applicable occupational-injury benefits.
What it takes
No application fee described. Gathering documents and obtaining recognition can take several visits and weeks to months in China.
What you may gain
Civil Code Article 183 makes the tortfeasor liable for harm suffered protecting another's civil rights; the beneficiary may compensate appropriately. If no tortfeasor exists, or that person has fled or cannot pay, a beneficiary must provide appropriate compensation when requested. State Council General Office document [2012] No. 39 requires expedited treatment and treatment before payment for injured courageous rescuers. Emergency medical costs fall to the perpetrator/responsible party, otherwise are addressed through basic medical-security arrangements under applicable rules. Deaths qualifying for martyr status are assessed accordingly. Cases deemed occupational death receive a lump-sum occupational-death benefit and a special survivor subsidy equal to 40 months of the deceased's wages. Disabled rescuers meeting work-injury-insurance conditions receive corresponding benefits; otherwise civil-affairs authorities assess disability and implement applicable benefits. Employment assistance gives priority and focused support, including eligible public-service posts. Housing support gives priority for subsidized rentals, sales or rental allowances. These are Chinese policies.
Context & considerations
Grade B because national policy establishes benefit categories, but provinces determine recognition procedures and award amounts, which were not individually checked. Apply to the local public-security organ or courageous-rescue office/foundation. Preserve police receipts, surveillance, witness names/phones and medical records immediately. Civil-rights claims arising from courageous rescue qualify for free legal aid. See occupational-death benefits, disability benefits and legal-aid applications.
Research & references
National People's Congress of China (2020). Civil Code, Article 183. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202006/t20200602_463888.shtml; State Council General Office, forwarding the Ministry of Civil Affairs and other departments (2012). Opinion on Strengthening Rights Protection for Courageous Rescuers, [2012] No. 39. https://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2012-07/26/content_2191928.htm