NRL star Lloyd Perrett sues Manly Sea Eagles over heat stroke incident
The former front-rower collapsed and had a seizure during the training session in 2017 when it is alleged he was deprived of water.
His next memory was waking up in hospital.
A claim was filed in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday by Brisbane legal firm Carter Capner Law on Perrett's behalf.
The lasting impacts of the injuries have had devastating impacts on the young player's career, the law firm argued, with the potential damages exceeding 'well into the millions of dollars'.
Mr Perrett and about 30 others attended the pre-season training session at the Narrabeen Sports Complex, north of Sydney, in November 2017, according to the statement of claim.
He was allegedly not given any water during the training session, with Dan Ferris, the club performance coach, allegedly advising there would be no water breaks despite the 'very warm conditions', according to the claim.
During the session, Mr Perrett completed several exercises, including a warm-up, stretching, and short sprints, before beginning three lots of 2km time trials.
During the third time trial he says he completed just one lap before collapsing unconscious to the ground.
Mr Perrett then says in his claim that his next memory was waking up in Mona Vale Hospital with a diagnosis of severe heat stroke.
His claim alleges the club breached its duty of care during the training session, exposing the young player to the risk of exertional heat stress and serious physiological injury.
It's also alleged in the claim that club officials failed to give Mr Perrett any water during the training or adequately monitored his health at the end of each exercise.
Mr Perrett and his legal team are collecting evidence as to what the former player's future losses might be.
'Despite the injury, Lloyd attempted a comeback, playing 10 or so games in the 2018 season and five in 2019. That was the last time he played NRL level,' Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter said.
'Given he was a very successful player at such an early stage of his career with arguably many good years ahead of him, the potential damages are well into the millions of dollars.'
The claim is seeking injury compensation, mainly for Mr Perrett's ongoing loss of income for what was to come of his 'promising career'.
Mr Perrett signed a $500,000-a-year contract with the Manly Sea Eagles back in December 2016 after having debuted with the Bulldogs in 2014 and represented the club in 15 games.
He also played in the NRL Auckland Nines competition and was selected to be part of the Queensland emerging origin squad.
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