Thanks to legislation passed during the regular session of the Texas Legislature in 2025, ringside physicians treating contestants in combative sports competitions now have immunity from civil liability arising from actions performed within their scope of practice at a combative sports event.
Senate Bill 842 clarifies that a ringside physician is immune from civil liability arising from actions performed within their scope of practice at a combative sports event.
By safeguarding physicians from legal repercussions, this bill helps to ensure that physicians can continue to make rapid decisions in high pressure circumstances to prioritize and protect the safety of fighters. This new immunity does not apply to gross negligence of the physician.
Any physician licensed to practice in Texas who is interested in becoming a ringside physician for combative sports events should fill out and send in a Ringside Physician Qualifications and Availability Form.