Leading sports lawyers do not believe former NRL stars will launch a flurry of legal action despite the first discovery of a brain condition in Australian rugby league players linked to repeated head traumas.
Two ex-players have already launched landmark legal action against their former clubs for negligence in the treatment of head knocks.
Legal case: former Knight and NSW Origin representative James McManus.Credit:Matt King
Former NSW and Newcastle winger James McManus is suing the Knights after being forced to prematurely retire following repeated concussions and ex-Gold Coast Giants, South Queensland Crushers and Parramatta player Brett Horsnell has started proceedings against the Eels.
Former Sharks forward Reece Williams earlier this year dropped his own lawsuit against one of the most respected sports doctors in the country, Bulldogs medico and former Cronulla staffer David Givney. Williams was forced to retire at the age of 25 after a serious head knock.
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It has left some of the game's top administrators wary of the legal implications of the historic findings, which claim two deceased former middle aged professional players in Australia showed evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
But McManus' senior Slater and Gordon lawyer Doug Williams predicted most players would await the verdict in his client's case before deciding on their own stance.
"[The CTE finding] was something that was always to be expected," Williams said. "NRL players are sitting back watching what's going on with our matter. If there's going to be a rush then I think it will be at that point rather than as a consequence of these findings."
McManus' case could reach a resolution as early as next year.
A study of 111 former NFL players found 110 showing evidence of CTE, which is known to manifest itself in depression, mood swings and suicidal thoughts.
The NFL has already paid out more than $US500 million from about 2000 claims lodged by former players under the code's concussion settlement. The figure is forecast to top $US1 billion in time.
The NFL as an organisation and governing body very much embarked on a pattern of concealment
Tim Fuller
But former top grade player and sports lawyer Tim Fuller said the NFL cases were very different to the brain conditions being discovered in ex-elite rugby league players.
"The NFL as an organisation and governing body very much embarked on a pattern of concealment," he Read More – Source
Leading sports lawyers do not believe former NRL stars will launch a flurry of legal action despite the first discovery of a brain condition in Australian rugby league players linked to repeated head traumas.
Two ex-players have already launched landmark legal action against their former clubs for negligence in the treatment of head knocks.
Legal case: former Knight and NSW Origin representative James McManus.Credit:Matt King
Former NSW and Newcastle winger James McManus is suing the Knights after being forced to prematurely retire following repeated concussions and ex-Gold Coast Giants, South Queensland Crushers and Parramatta player Brett Horsnell has started proceedings against the Eels.
Former Sharks forward Reece Williams earlier this year dropped his own lawsuit against one of the most respected sports doctors in the country, Bulldogs medico and former Cronulla staffer David Givney. Williams was forced to retire at the age of 25 after a serious head knock.
Advertisement
It has left some of the game's top administrators wary of the legal implications of the historic findings, which claim two deceased former middle aged professional players in Australia showed evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
But McManus' senior Slater and Gordon lawyer Doug Williams predicted most players would await the verdict in his client's case before deciding on their own stance.
"[The CTE finding] was something that was always to be expected," Williams said. "NRL players are sitting back watching what's going on with our matter. If there's going to be a rush then I think it will be at that point rather than as a consequence of these findings."
McManus' case could reach a resolution as early as next year.
A study of 111 former NFL players found 110 showing evidence of CTE, which is known to manifest itself in depression, mood swings and suicidal thoughts.
The NFL has already paid out more than $US500 million from about 2000 claims lodged by former players under the code's concussion settlement. The figure is forecast to top $US1 billion in time.
The NFL as an organisation and governing body very much embarked on a pattern of concealment
Tim Fuller
But former top grade player and sports lawyer Tim Fuller said the NFL cases were very different to the brain conditions being discovered in ex-elite rugby league players.
"The NFL as an organisation and governing body very much embarked on a pattern of concealment," he Read More – Source
