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England World Cup winners Phil Vickery and Mark Regan, along with former Wales star Gavin Henson, are among 295 former rugby union players suing three of the sport’s governing
bodies over brain injuries.Their involvement in the ‘concussion lawsuit’ became public following a case management hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Friday.
The names of 212 players involved in the case were released, with an application for their cases to be heard collectively set for April or May next year.
That would allow all the lawsuits against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to be managed together.
Some other plaintiffs include Steve Thompson, another member of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad.
Sean Lamont, who won just over 100 caps for Scotland, and ex-Wales star Colin Charvis.
The players allege rugby’s governing bodies failed to put in place reasonable measures to protect their health and safety.
Concussion Case
Susan Rodway, representing the players, said in court filings that the defendants “ought to have known of the likelihood of long-term neurological complications due to cumulative concussive or sub-concussive blows to the head”.
Injuries from head blows are said to have caused disorders such as motor neurone disease, early onset dementia, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
A joint statement on behalf of World Rugby, WRU and RFU read: “Whilst today’s case management hearing was necessarily about legal process, we must not forget about the people and players at the heart of this case.
“Legal action prevents us reaching out to support the players involved, many of whom are named publicly for the first time today. But we want them to know that we care deeply about their struggles, that we are listening and that they are members of the rugby family.
“Despite the court’s order from June 2023 the court noted that there was a “gaping hole” in the evidence provided by the claimant’s legal team.
“The further delay to the case is regrettable and the players’ lawyers seemingly prioritising media coverage over meeting their legal obligations, is challenging for all concerned; not least the players themselves.
“Player welfare is rugby’s top priority, and will continue to be our top priority. Rugby is committed to leading the welfare agenda in sport, driven by evolving science and research to protect and support players at all levels.”
source:More big names added to Rugby concussion lawsuit (algoafm.co.za)
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