When Can Schools Be Held Accountable for Sports Injuries?

As students head back to class, athletes are also returning to fields, courts, and gyms. Sports naturally come with risk — bumps, bruises, and the occasional sprain are all part of the game. But when injuries go beyond what’s expected, parents often ask: when is it just part of the sport, and when does negligence make schools or coaches legally responsible?

Assumption of Risk vs. Negligence in School Sports

When a student gets hurt playing sports, parents often wonder: Is this just “part of the game,” or was someone at fault? The answer depends on whether the injury falls under assumption of risk or negligence.

Assumption of Risk

• Sports are physical by nature. Players are expected to encounter bumps, bruises, and even occasional sprains or fractures.

• Before each season, parents typically sign waivers acknowledging these dangers. By doing so, they accept that normal sports-related injuries — like colliding with another player or falling during a drill — are not the school’s or coach’s legal responsibility.

Negligence

• Negligence occurs when an adult’s unreasonable actions (or inaction) directly cause a child’s injury.

• Examples include:

  • Allowing a student to play despite a known injury

  • Using broken or unsafe equipment

  • Failing to supervise students during high-risk drills or practices

• In these cases, the injury is no longer considered “part of the game” but the result of a breach of duty of care.

When Coaches and Schools May Be Liable

Texas public schools generally have protection under sovereign immunity, which shields government entities from many lawsuits. However, there are exceptions. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, immunity may be waived when:

• A school employee’s negligence causes an injury (such as a coach ignoring medical warnings).

• A school bus accident or unsafe property condition contributes to harm.

• Safety protocols are ignored, or emergency responses are delayed.

Coaches themselves may also be held accountable if they act recklessly or neglect their duty to protect student-athletes. While private schools don’t have the same protections as public ones, liability still requires proof of negligence.

What Parents Should Do After a Sports Injury

Seeing your child injured while playing the sport they love can be overwhelming. But the steps you take immediately after the injury can protect both their health and your legal rights.

1. Seek Medical Attention — Always have your child evaluated promptly. Quick treatment not only improves recovery but also creates medical records to support a potential claim.

2. Gather Documentation — Take photos of the facility, the equipment, and the injury. Speak to witnesses and save medical reports.

3. Review the Waiver — Understand what risks were accepted and whether the injury goes beyond those terms.

4. Consult an Attorney — Sports injury cases, especially those involving schools, can be complicated. A personal injury lawyer can help determine if negligence played a role and whether you have grounds for a claim.

Why Legal Guidance Matters

Not every sports injury results in liability — but when negligence is involved, parents have the right to seek accountability. Schools and coaches are expected to provide safe environments and make responsible decisions. When they fail, legal action can help families cover medical costs and ensure safer practices for other students.

School Sports Injury? Call Shaw.

Watching your child catch an injury instead of a ball can be devastating. If your child has been injured while playing school sports due to negligence anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs

• ER Treatment

• Surgeries

• Medical Bills

• Pain and Suffering

• Property Damage

• Missed Work

• Wrongful Death

• And More

We can help you find out for free.

Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys. No fees. No obligations. Just expert legal advice when you need it most.

Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.