Preseason practices ramp up in August, often in the hottest, most humid weeks of the Georgia summer. Heat illness in student athletes is largely preventable when coaches and schools follow heat rules, provide water and rest, and act fast when a player shows warning signs. If your child suffered heat exhaustion, heatstroke or another preventable practice injury, you may have questions about what went wrong and who is responsible.
This guide explains why August is a high-risk month, the heat rules Georgia high school programs are expected to follow, what to do if your student is hurt and how liability works when a school, league or trainer is involved.
Key Takeaways
- Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 and start cooling right away.
- Georgia High School Association (GHSA) rules require schools to monitor Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and limit or cancel outdoor practice as it rises.
- Save practice schedules, team app messages and any WBGT readings, and write down what happened while memories are fresh.
- Public school districts and employees often have immunity, while private schools, camps, leagues and trainers are generally treated like other businesses.
- A child’s own injury claim generally can be filed until two years after the child turns 18, but evidence can disappear quickly.
Why Heat Risks Rise in August
Several factors combine during preseason:
- A high heat index during long or two-a-day practices
- Inadequate water, shade and recovery breaks
- Hard conditioning before players are used to the heat
- Full pads and equipment that trap heat
- Pressure to “push through” symptoms
- Poor emergency planning or no cooling equipment at the field
Warning signs of heat illness include heavy sweating or no sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps, confusion, collapse and a very high body temperature. Confusion or collapse in the heat should be treated as heatstroke until proven otherwise.
Georgia’s High School Heat and Humidity Rules
The GHSA’s Practice Policy for Heat and Humidity (By-Law 2.67) requires member schools to measure WBGT with an approved instrument at each practice. Readings are to be taken every hour, starting 30 minutes before practice begins. Activity limits then depend on the reading:
| WBGT Reading (Degrees F) | What the GHSA Policy Allows |
|---|---|
| Under 82.0 | Normal activity with at least three rest breaks per hour, at least 3 minutes each |
| 82.0 to 86.9 | Use discretion for intense exercise; at least three breaks per hour, 4 minutes each |
| 87.0 to 89.9 | Practice limited to 2 hours; football limited to helmet, shoulder pads and shorts |
| 90.0 to 92.0 | Practice limited to 1 hour; no protective equipment or conditioning for football |
| Over 92.0 | No outdoor workouts until the WBGT drops |
The policy also calls for unlimited access to water during rest breaks in shaded areas and requires cold immersion tubs to be available when the WBGT is above 86. When a school skipped readings, ignored the limits or had no way to cool a player quickly, those facts can matter a great deal in a claim.
What to Do If Your Student Athlete Is Hurt
- Get emergency care. Heatstroke needs immediate cooling and medical treatment.
- Document conditions. Note the time, temperature, practice length, equipment worn and water access.
- Save communications. Keep team app messages, emails, schedules and any written heat or emergency plans.
- Identify witnesses. Write down the names of teammates, athletic trainers, coaches and parents who were there.
- Preserve gear. Keep helmets, pads, shoes or other equipment in case a defect played a role.
- Request records in writing. Ask the school to preserve WBGT logs, practice plans and incident reports.
- Talk with an attorney. Immunity rules and protocol questions can be complex.
Common Injuries and Damages
Preseason injuries can include heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, kidney injury, concussions and overuse injuries. When another party’s negligence caused the harm, a claim may cover:
- Emergency care, hospital stays, follow-up treatment and rehab
- Future medical needs and long-term effects
- A parent’s lost work time to care for the student
- Missed school, activities and scholarship opportunities
- Pain and suffering
If a heat-related death occurs, Georgia law allows a wrongful death claim for the full value of the life of the child.
Who May Be Liable
Responsibility depends on who ran the practice and what went wrong:
- Private schools, camps, leagues and third-party trainers can be responsible for unsafe practices under ordinary negligence and premises liability principles.
- Equipment makers may be responsible for defective helmets or other gear.
- Public school districts generally have sovereign immunity under Georgia law, and teachers and coaches often have official immunity for discretionary decisions made without actual malice. Claims against them are limited and fact-specific.
Deadlines That Apply
Most Georgia injury claims must be filed within two years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). For a child’s own claim, Georgia generally gives the same time after the child turns 18 (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90), but parents’ claims for medical expenses and any claim involving a government body can run on shorter timelines. See our guide to Georgia personal injury deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature?
WBGT is a heat stress measurement that accounts for temperature, humidity, wind and sun. It gives a better picture of heat risk for athletes than the air temperature alone. GHSA schools use WBGT readings to decide how long and how hard teams may practice.
Can I Sue a Public School If My Child Got Heatstroke at Practice?
It is difficult but depends on the facts. Georgia public school districts generally have sovereign immunity, and coaches often have official immunity for judgment calls. An attorney can review whether any exception applies or whether another party, such as a private trainer or equipment maker, shares responsibility.
Does Signing a Sports Waiver Mean We Have No Claim?
Not necessarily. Whether a waiver or release applies depends on its wording, who signed it and what caused the injury. Don’t assume a signed form ends your options until someone has reviewed it.
What Records Should I Ask the School to Keep?
Ask in writing for WBGT logs, practice plans, attendance, the emergency action plan, athletic trainer notes, incident reports and any video. Make the request as soon as possible so the records aren’t discarded.
If a preventable practice injury harmed your child, you don’t have to figure out next steps alone. The Gunn Law Group offers a free, no-obligation consultation, and you pay no attorney fee unless we win. Call 888-BIG-GUNN (888-244-4866).
