Brought to you by
Rylands Garth
Collision sports contain some risk, but rugby governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure the safety of players, including to their brains.
Rugby players in particular are at risk of incurring severe brain injuries – with experts believing that many thousands of retired players face developing serious conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.
We sat down with Gary Tierney, solicitor at Rylands Garth, to discuss the support they provide, the importance of safeguarding player health and the upcoming final court May deadline for the concussion litigation.
Q: What services and support can Rylands Garth provide players?
A: We represent hundreds of professional and amateur rugby union, rugby league and football players who are suffering with neurological conditions as a result of head trauma sustained during their careers.
Our experts ensure that impacted players understand their symptoms and specific conditions. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), for example, is commonly experienced by sportspeople involved in collision and contact sports. Recognising the symptoms of CTE, including memory problems, sudden mood changes and confusion as early as possible can make all the difference in diagnosis and treatment.
We believe that CTE and other neurological impairments in contact sports should be treated like industrial diseases – such as work-related hearing loss or lung disease contracted from fumes. The sooner one is diagnosed, the quicker they can get clinical help.
Q: How can players know if they’re eligible to make a claim?
A: If players believe they are suffering from the symptoms of a neurological condition as a result of collisions during their rugby careers, we are more than happy to assist. We can provide support during the testing and diagnosis stage to confirm the specific condition, as well as handle the legal process.
It’s vital that rugby players looking to file a claim ensure that they onboard the action before the court deadline in May 2025. This is the final deadline set by the court for all new joiners to the mass rugby concussion litigation action. Get tested. Protect your future.
Q: Will impacted players have to pay legal fees?
A: Should you join the claim, you can make it on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis with litigation funding to pay for your fees and costs in the claim. As part of this process, if your compensation claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay any legal fees for our services. We can also cover all other costs as part of this – including court fees, medical reports and other expenses.
If you win your claim, we would take a capped percentage of the compensation you are awarded to cover our legal costs.
Q: How do I sign up to join the litigation action?
A: If you believe you have a potential claim, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Do please note the final court deadline of May this year. After that you will be out of time to join this action. We would recommend an in-person evaluation with our neurologist to determine the nature of your condition.
One of our specialist sports concussion lawyers will then guide you through the claims process to determine if your symptoms suggest neurological impairment. If so, we could then begin the court process and seek compensation for your condition.
To find out more about the process, visit concussioninsportlitigation.com. You can register your interest there. We will then contact you soon after to start the process.
Share