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 Maine, as in many states, student athletes are typically considered to have assumed the risks associated with participating in school sports. This assumption of risk is often formalized through the signing of a waiver or consent form, where the student acknowledges the inherent dangers and agrees not to hold the school or its employees liable for any resulting injuries. However, this does not grant schools absolute immunity. If a student athlete is injured due to the school's negligence, such as inadequate supervision or failure to provide proper safety equipment, the school could potentially be held liable. Despite the assumption of risk by athletes, Maine's Tort Claims Act does provide some exceptions to sovereign immunity, which generally protects public entities from lawsuits. Under certain circumstances, such as negligence, a public school may face legal action for injuries sustained by student athletes.