Hydration Among Young Athletes: A Legal Landmine

A Kentucky high school football coach was charged with reckless homicide in the death of a player who collapsed at practice as temperatures soared. Coach Jason Stinson denied water to the player, Max Gilpin, on a 94-degree day last August. Gilpin, whose body temperature reached 107 degrees, died three days after he collapsed at practice. Over the past several years dehydration has drawn more public attention with the high profile death of Minnesota Viking Korey Stringer as well as a number of deaths in high school and college athletics. Heat stroke is the second leading cause of death in the high school students. Case law has established that schools have a duty to provide athletes with quick and appropriate medical care even if the activity was voluntary. Dehydration is considered one of the most common risk factors of heat illness but is preventable when proper hydration protocols are met. The issue of hydration has created legal dilemmas for school districts all across the nation. It is highly suggested for school districts to have appropriate measures in place to prevent legal liabilities. It is important for all schools to develop a well-rounded hydration policy. In this paper legal issues, and sample policies will be discussed and presented. Also discuss ways schools could protect themselves from criminal or civil liability for hydration-related injuries. Issues such as waivers for parents or guardians to sign, the presence of defibrillators, and their appropriate use on campuses will be presented.