Laws vary from state to state but students who participate in school athletic activities (sports) are generally considered (under state law) to have assumed or agreed to the risks inherent in such activities. Student athletes are also often required to sign a form acknowledging the risks in the activity, assuming liability for their own potential personal injuries, and waiving any claims against the school, coaches, and school officials.

In rare situations in which student athletes are not properly supervised or provided with adequate protective equipment, schools and school officials may have liability for injuries caused by such negligence.

In addition to a student athlete's assumption of the risks inherent in participating in athletics, public schools are generally immune from liability under the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity that protects governmental entities—including public schools—from lawsuits and legal liability.

In Florida, student athletes are typically considered to have assumed the risks associated with participating in school sports. This assumption of risk is often formalized through a waiver or form that the student athlete signs, acknowledging the inherent dangers and agreeing not to hold the school or its officials responsible for injuries that may occur as a result of those inherent risks. However, if a student athlete is injured due to a lack of proper supervision or inadequate protective equipment, the school may be held liable for negligence. Despite this, Florida's public schools generally enjoy sovereign immunity, which shields them from many types of lawsuits. Sovereign immunity means that governmental entities, including public schools, are protected from legal liability to a certain extent. There are exceptions to this immunity, particularly when gross negligence or intentional misconduct is involved. It's important to note that the specific circumstances of an injury and the details of the waiver signed by the student athlete can affect the legal outcomes in these cases.