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HomeEducation CodeDiv. 4Pt. 27Ch. 9Art. 1§ 49409 Physician Immunity School Athletics

§ 49409 Physician Immunity School Athletics

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 49409 Physician Immunity School Athletics

Key Takeaways

  • •Doctors who help injured athletes at school sports events for free won't get in trouble if something goes wrong, as long as they tried their best.
  • •This protection only works if the doctor didn't get paid and wasn't super careless.
  • •If the doctor makes a huge mistake (like being really reckless), they can still be in trouble.

Example

A doctor watching a high school football game sees a player break their arm. The doctor runs onto the field and helps for free.

If the doctor accidentally makes the injury worse while trying to help, they won’t be sued—unless they did something really stupid, like ignoring the broken bone completely.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 49409 Physician Immunity School Athletics

Notwithstanding any provision of any law, no physician and surgeon who in good faith and without compensation renders voluntary emergency medical assistance to a participant in a school athletic event or contest at the site thereof, or during transportation to a health care facility, for an injury suffered in the course of the event or contest, shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by the physician and surgeon in rendering the emergency medical care. The immunity granted by this paragraph shall not apply in the event of an act or omission constituting gross negligence. (Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 547.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

negligencemedicalhospitaldamagesschoolhealthemergencyphysician

Related Statutes

  • § 49414 Emergency Epinephrine In Schools
  • § 49414.3 Opioid Overdose Emergency Response
  • § 49414.5 Diabetes Emergency Care Training
  • § 49414.7 Emergency Albuterol Use Schools
  • § 49417 School Aed Funding Liability

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 49409.
View Official Source