America is the Land of the [Lawyers'] Fee. I can't remember the site, but someone has a site, dedicated to all the stupid, ridiculous, double-facepalm lawsuits the US "enjoys."

It is quite common for people to be [successfully] sued for trying to help someone else.

I remember taking a CPR class, where we were told that, if we gave CPR, we could be sued.

So there's actually a reason why someone might stand back, and watch you die...