What Parents Should Know When A Student Athlete Gets Hurt

School sports offer kids a chance to stay active, build teamwork, and grow their confidence. But with athletics also comes the risk of injury. Whether it's a concussion during football practice, a sprained ankle at a basketball game, or a more serious incident during track and field, sports injuries at school are common. That raises an important legal question: can the school district be held responsible?

Below, our friends from Hayhurst Law PLLC discuss sports injuries at school and if the district can be held liable.

Inherent Risks VS. Negligence

Not every sports injury leads to a lawsuit. That’s because the law recognizes something called “assumption of risk.” When a student chooses to participate in a sport, especially contact sports, they accept the possibility of injury. Scrapes, sprains, and even broken bones are often considered part of the game. However, if a student is injured due to something that goes beyond the usual risk of the sport, the school could be legally responsible. That includes situations where coaches or staff fail to follow proper safety procedures or ignore known hazards.

Examples Of Negligence In School Sports

There are several scenarios where a school or coach could be found negligent. If a student is pressured to keep playing after showing signs of a concussion, that could be a serious liability issue. If a coach fails to provide proper supervision or allows students to use unsafe equipment, the school may be held responsible. Other examples include lack of proper warm-up, ignoring medical clearance requirements, or failing to have emergency medical plans in place. If the injury occurred because someone failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm, the school could be considered at fault.

Waivers

Some schools ask parents or students to sign waivers before participating in sports. While these forms may discourage some families from pursuing legal claims, they do not always prevent lawsuits. In many states, a waiver does not protect a school from claims of gross negligence or reckless behavior. If a school ignored a known risk or failed to act in a way that any reasonable adult would have, a signed waiver might not offer protection.

Public Schools And Legal Deadlines

When an injury happens at a public school, parents should be aware of government immunity laws. These laws do not always prevent legal claims, but they do require specific procedures. Most importantly, parents often need to file a notice of claim within a short timeframe. In some states, that could be as little as 60 days. Waiting too long could prevent a valid case from ever being heard.

Looking Beyond The Scoreboard: Protecting Student Athletes

Sports injuries are part of life for many student athletes, but not every injury should be brushed off as “just part of the game.” If a coach failed to act responsibly, if safety procedures were ignored, or if your child was seriously hurt due to someone else's poor judgment, the school district may be held liable. A workplace injury lawyer can help you sort out what happened and determine whether legal action is an option.