The Volunteer Team Physician: When Are You Exempt from Civil Liability?

In brief: Qualified immunity statutes designed to protect volunteer team physicians from liability for damages are very restrictive. In most states that have such statutes, if the physician's activities fit the law's definition of emergency care, he or she is liable only in cases of gross negligence or worse. But if the treatment given a fallen athlete does not qualify as emergency care, the physician can be sued for ordinary negligence. General medical care and advice to athletes and field assessments of injured athletes' ability to return to play are not usually defined as emergency care. Some precautions for medical personnel to take before volunteering their time at school athletic events are suggested.