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 Ohio, 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 related parties responsible for injuries that may occur as a result of those inherent risks. 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 this, Ohio public schools generally enjoy sovereign immunity, which shields them from many types of lawsuits. Sovereign immunity is not absolute, and exceptions exist where a school's actions or inactions could lead to legal liability, particularly in cases of gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.