Rugby: Brain injury claims against governing bodies may top £300m
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Lenny Woodard said he wants a pay-out not out of greed but so his family is not burdened with the cost of decades of care
Former rugby players diagnosed with brain injuries could get millions of pounds from the sport’s governing bodies to pay for their care.
More than 200 ex-players have accused rugby governing bodies of failing to protect them against brain injuries.
Legal experts said the claims against the organisations could exceed £300m.
World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said they constantly strive to safeguard players.
The class action suit is being taken against all three governing bodies.
Former stars involved in the claim include former British and Irish Lion and Wales captain Ryan Jones, England international and World Cup winner Steve Thompson and former Wales international Alix Popham.
Mr Jones revealed last year that he had joined the legal action after being diagnosed with early onset dementia.
Experts believe the amounts of money involved could be substantial, particularly if long periods of care are required.
However, any legal action could be complicated and protracted, and any conclusion may be years away.
Crispin Cormack said that some of the players diagnosed with brain injuries may require significant long-term care
Crispin Cormack won the league and cup with Pontypridd in the 1990s, played for London Welsh and toured with Wales in Australia.
He now specialises in serious injury cases for Coles Miller Solicitors, including concussion, and believes the claims could reach into the hundreds of millions of pounds.
Mr Cormack said: “I would say a conservative estimate, personally, and I don’t know everything about the claims and I’ve obviously not been privy to the medical reports, but if we take the worst possible scenario, I’d say a minimum of £300m and it could be skyrocketing upwards.”
Jonathan Compton, a qualified barrister and solicitor who specialises in litigation at DMH Stallard, has advised large sports organisations in the past.
Mr Compton said: “I would expect any damages, because they affect younger people over a longer period of time, could be substantial.”
He said he had no reason to doubt Mr Cormack’s estimate.
“Given the numbers involved, I don’t think that is an unreasonable figure – you’re looking at a substantial number of people,” he said.
Image source, Getty Images
Former British Lion and Wales captain, Ryan Jones, is among the 200 former male and female players taking legal action against rugby governing bodies
Former dual-code professional Lenny Woodard, 46, is one of the many former rugby stars who have been diagnosed with early onset dementia.
The Pontypool born star, who won five Wales Rugby League caps and played for Wales in South Africa, now sits on a committee representing players involved in the claim.
He said he…
Read More: Rugby: Brain injury claims against governing bodies may top £300m 2023-03-28 05:14:23