"I wonder, if the lifeguard had stayed at his post, and the man had drowned, would the lifeguard, or his company, be sued successfully by (say) the man's family"
No more than they could successfully sue you for not saving him.
14 posted on 07/04/2012 4:16:57 PM PDT by I see my hands
(It's time to.. KICK OUT THE JAMS, MOTHER FREEPERS!)