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 Virginia, 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 staff liable for injuries that 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 or officials may be held liable for negligence. Despite this, Virginia's doctrine of sovereign immunity generally provides public schools with protection against lawsuits, meaning they are often immune from legal liability. This immunity is not absolute, and exceptions may apply in cases of gross negligence or where the school has waived its immunity.