Sport Brain Injuries Court Claims Filed!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The group of former Association Football, Rugby Union and Rugby League players, who are taking legal action for brain injuries suffered as a result of playing their respective sports, has now risen to a total of 378.
Their claims, alleging that their games’ governing bodies have been negligent in failing to take reasonable care to protect them from permanent injury caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows, have been filed today (4 April 2023) at the English High Court.
It is reported that these claims could exceed £300 million.
Richard Boardman, the lawyer acting for all the claimants, has commented as follows:
“Everybody, the lawyers included in this matter, are all fans of these sports and our main priority is looking after our guys and female players as well with brain damage and they need urgent clinical support and damages for themselves and their families.”
And added:
“We ultimately want these sports to survive into the future, but clearly urgent, immediate changes are needed.”
In a joint statement, the games’ governing bodies concerned have remarked as follows:
“Acting on the latest science, evidence and independent expert guidance, we constantly strive to safeguard and support all our players – future, current and former. Rugby is a leader in the prevention, management and identification of head impacts and World Rugby also proactively funds transformational research, embraces innovation and explores technology that can make the sport as accessible, inclusive and safe as possible for all participants.”
Of course, Rugby Union, Rugby League and Association Football are all contact sports with the inherent risk of harm to life and limb and the legal defence of ‘volenti non fit injuria’ (willing consent to injury) must play a part in these legal proceedings!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
