Three legal firms have announced plans in the space of 24 hours to launch class actions against the NRL over the handling of head knocks in a move that further intensifies the spotlight on the governing bodys handling of concussion.
Mitry Lawyers, the firm that launched the Sydney Light Rail Class Action, is in talks with former players concerned about their brain health since they retired from the game. Two other companies, Bannister Law and Cahill Lawyers, have also joined forces with the same intention after investigating the contentious issue over the past year.
Within the space of just 24 hours, three legal firms have announced plans to commence class actions against the NRL over its handling of concussions.Credit:Jessica Shapiro
Only seven players are required to launch a class action and both entities are confident they will soon have the required numbers after making their campaigns public.
The Mitry Lawyers movement is the result of six months of research led by coordinator Barry Tilley, who has spoken to several ex-players about their health concerns. Mitry Lawyers have already launched class actions relating to Northern Beaches Hospital and the Newcastle Light Rail and have litigation funders ready to back their concussion campaign.
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“My interest in the area goes back to the days when I was playing with some people now complaining about the effects they have as a result of receiving concussions when they were playing,” said Mitry Lawyers partner Rick Mitry.
“At the time they were playing they werent aware they shouldnt be allowed back on the field.
“Weve spoken to a few players and we feel it is imperative that somebody does something. Well get a small group together who have a commonality with these injuries and background. Weve had experience with three or four class actions over the last few years. We know what it takes, we know they are large and complex cases and we believe we have learned enough from our experience to manage them in a way that is beneficial to those who dont normally have access to justice because they cant afford their own action.”
Tilley has previously helped organise several other class actions and is aware of former rugby league players struggling with what they suspect are concussion-related issues in retirement.
“Players who wouldnt be able to afford this due to their circumstances, because it is a big action, will get free legal representation to fund their costs,” Tilley said.
“Its a national problem that has been going on for years and the organisations themselves havent abided by their duty of care.”
The issue of concussion diagnosis and management has again become a hot topic after two former rugby league players, each of whom had played more than 150 first-grade games, were found in a landmark Australian study to have suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
The NFL has already paid out more than $US500 million under the sport's concussion settlement, a figure tipped to reach the $1 billion mark. Unlike the NFL, there is no suggestion the NRL attempted to cover up research on repeated head injuries on players. Any action against league authorities will likely Read More – Source
Three legal firms have announced plans in the space of 24 hours to launch class actions against the NRL over the handling of head knocks in a move that further intensifies the spotlight on the governing bodys handling of concussion.
Mitry Lawyers, the firm that launched the Sydney Light Rail Class Action, is in talks with former players concerned about their brain health since they retired from the game. Two other companies, Bannister Law and Cahill Lawyers, have also joined forces with the same intention after investigating the contentious issue over the past year.
Within the space of just 24 hours, three legal firms have announced plans to commence class actions against the NRL over its handling of concussions.Credit:Jessica Shapiro
Only seven players are required to launch a class action and both entities are confident they will soon have the required numbers after making their campaigns public.
The Mitry Lawyers movement is the result of six months of research led by coordinator Barry Tilley, who has spoken to several ex-players about their health concerns. Mitry Lawyers have already launched class actions relating to Northern Beaches Hospital and the Newcastle Light Rail and have litigation funders ready to back their concussion campaign.
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“My interest in the area goes back to the days when I was playing with some people now complaining about the effects they have as a result of receiving concussions when they were playing,” said Mitry Lawyers partner Rick Mitry.
“At the time they were playing they werent aware they shouldnt be allowed back on the field.
“Weve spoken to a few players and we feel it is imperative that somebody does something. Well get a small group together who have a commonality with these injuries and background. Weve had experience with three or four class actions over the last few years. We know what it takes, we know they are large and complex cases and we believe we have learned enough from our experience to manage them in a way that is beneficial to those who dont normally have access to justice because they cant afford their own action.”
Tilley has previously helped organise several other class actions and is aware of former rugby league players struggling with what they suspect are concussion-related issues in retirement.
“Players who wouldnt be able to afford this due to their circumstances, because it is a big action, will get free legal representation to fund their costs,” Tilley said.
“Its a national problem that has been going on for years and the organisations themselves havent abided by their duty of care.”
The issue of concussion diagnosis and management has again become a hot topic after two former rugby league players, each of whom had played more than 150 first-grade games, were found in a landmark Australian study to have suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
The NFL has already paid out more than $US500 million under the sport's concussion settlement, a figure tipped to reach the $1 billion mark. Unlike the NFL, there is no suggestion the NRL attempted to cover up research on repeated head injuries on players. Any action against league authorities will likely Read More – Source
