Relating to immunity for ringside physicians assigned to combative sports events.

Contracts

• Master Services Agreements (MSAs): You must revise agreements with physicians. While they are immune from standard negligence, you must retain indemnification clauses for gross negligence, which remains their liability.
• Participant Waivers: Update fighter/participant liability waivers to explicitly acknowledge the statutory immunity granted under Section 2052.255, Texas Occupations Code. This strengthens the enforceability of the waiver against the promoter.
• Venue Agreements: Venues may demand higher General Liability limits from promoters, as the physician's malpractice carrier will no longer contribute to settlements for standard negligence claims.

Hiring/Training

• Formal Assignment Verification: Immunity is contingent on the physician being "assigned" to the event. You must cease any informal or "handshake" volunteer arrangements. Ensure all physicians are processed through formal TDLR assignment protocols.
• Scope Briefings: Conduct pre-event briefings to clearly delineate the physician's "scope of responsibilities." Acts performed outside this scope (e.g., treating a VIP guest or staff member) are not covered by the immunity.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Scope of Work Orders: Generate a written "Scope of Responsibility" document for every event, signed by the physician. This document will be your primary defense evidence to establish that the physician was acting within the protected statutory limits.
• Credentialing Files: Maintain current proof of the physician's licensure and good standing with the Texas Medical Board in the specific event file to defend against negligent hiring claims.

Fees & Costs

• Insurance Premiums: Prepare for a potential increase in Event Liability and General Liability premiums. Underwriters will recognize that promoters are now the primary target for plaintiff recovery.
• Defense Costs: Anticipate higher legal defense costs. You will no longer have the physician's malpractice counsel co-defending the negligence aspects of a personal injury claim.