The legal battle waged by former rugby players against various sports governing bodies due to alleged brain injuries sustained over their playing careers has expanded significantly. A British law firm revealed that more than 1,000 former rugby athletes have united to file a lawsuit, alleging negligence on the part of these associations.
London-based Rylands Garth announced that over 520 former athletes from both rugby union and rugby league had joined the litigation by the previous week’s Friday deadline, which was mandated by a court in preparation for a July hearing. The court proceedings will potentially lead to a trial in the upcoming year. In total, the combined number of players involved in the lawsuit is about 1,100, as highlighted by the law firm in their statement.
The core of the lawsuit, according to Rylands Garth, accuses the rugby governing bodies of failing to implement adequate measures to shield the players from concussive and sub-concussive injuries throughout their careers, despite being cognizant of the inherent risks. The claimants are pursuing compensation from entities such as World Rugby, the English Rugby Football Union, and the Welsh Rugby Union for the 15-a-side format, alongside the English Rugby Football League and the British Amateur Rugby League Association for the 13-a-side discipline. They seek restitution covering lost earnings, medical expenses, and costs related to necessary care.
Moreover, Rylands Garth is advocating for urgent, substantial reforms within the game, emphasizing enhancing safety measures for current and forthcoming players. They propose the introduction of an independent brain health ombudsman dedicated to monitoring and safeguarding athlete wellbeing within the sport.
The lawsuit prominently features former World Cup-winning England hooker Steve Thompson, ex-New Zealand prop Carl Hayman, and former Wales flanker Alix Popham among its participants. The increased number of claimants sheds light on what Rylands Garth describes as profound, ongoing issues within rugby. The firm has voiced concern over the extensive playing schedules that see athletes engage in rigorous, year-round activities, highlighting the imminent summer tours that will further test elite players globally. “We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game,” the firm asserted.
Acknowledging the update from the claimants’ representatives, World Rugby, alongside the RFU and WRU, released a joint statement expressing awareness of the updated claimant numbers. They are presently anticipating comprehensive details regarding the diagnoses and specific claims. The governing bodies expressed empathy for any former players confronting challenges and stressed their commitment to enhancing player safety through robust, world-leading initiatives. This commitment encompasses the use of smart mouthguard technology in high-level games, experimenting with lower tackle heights at the community level, and the ongoing provision of brain health services to support retired athletes.
In addition to its work with rugby players, Rylands Garth is also representing around 130 former soccer players engaged in a similar legal pursuit against soccer governing bodies. A hearing for this case is scheduled for June 26.