Latest news with #RylandsGarth
1News
4 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
More than 1000 former rugby players join concussion lawsuit
The number of former rugby players taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to more than 1000, a British law firm said overnight. Rylands Garth, based in London, said more than 520 ex-players from rugby union and rugby league joined the lawsuit by Friday last week, which was the deadline for new applicants set by a court ahead of a hearing in July and before the case potentially goes to trial next year. It takes the total number of players who are part of the lawsuit to approximately 1100, Rylands Garth said in a statement. The former players contend, according to Rylands Garth, that "rugby governing bodies failed to take reasonable action to protect them from the impacts of concussive and sub-concussive blows during their playing careers, despite knowing of the risks". Claimants are seeking compensation from World Rugby, the English Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union — governing bodies in 15-a-side rugby — and the English Rugby Football League and British Amateur Rugby League Association — from 13-a-side rugby league — for lost earnings, medical bills and care costs associated with their injuries, the firm said. ADVERTISEMENT "Rylands Garth is also calling for urgent and substantive reform of the game to better protect the safety of current and future players — including the creation of an independent brain health ombudsman for the sport," it said. Among those to have previously joined the class action was World Cup-winning former England hooker Steve Thompson, former New Zealand prop Carl Hayman and former Wales flanker Alix Popham. "This surge in claimants exposes the deep-rooted issues in rugby," Rylands Garth said, adding: "Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours across the rugby world. We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game." In a joint statement issued by World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU, the governing bodies said they "are aware of the latest update shared by the claimants' legal representatives with the final number of claimants." "We now await full details of their diagnosis and the claims being made. Our thoughts are with any former player facing challenges. "Across the game, we continue to build on a strong foundation of world-leading initiatives designed to make rugby union as safe as possible." That includes "smart mouthguard technology in the elite game, trials of lower tackle height in the community game, and the continued rollout of brain health services to support former players". ADVERTISEMENT Rylands Garth said it also represents approximately 130 former football players who are taking similar legal action against soccer governing bodies. The next court hearing for the soccer case is due on June 26.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Rugby's concussion lawsuit grows again as lawyers representing former players argue game's authorities have their 'heads in the sand'
The lawyers representing ex-players suing rugby's authorities for alleged negligence have accused the sport's authorities of putting the game at risk by 'burying their heads in the sand.' On Monday, legal firm Rylands Garth confirmed more than 500 further former professionals from both rugby codes have joined the litigation. Rylands say they now represent in excess of 1,000 ex-players from across rugby union and league who are now suffering with brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Mail Sport understands more than 700 of those are from union. The former players involved in the case argue that rugby's governing bodies failed to take reasonable action to protect them from the impacts of concussive and sub-concussive blows during their playing careers, despite knowing the risks. In union, claimants are seeking compensation from World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union. 'This surge in claimants exposes the deep-rooted issues in rugby and the substantial impact the negligence of authorities has had on players,' Rylands said in a statement. 'Many of our players have seen their lives upended by the injuries they sustained during their careers, with little or no aftercare or support. 'If governing bodies continue to bury their heads in the sand, the very future of rugby is at risk. Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours. 'We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game.' May 30 marked the final opportunity for new players to join the long-running legal action. Rylands also represent those who played football as well as rugby's two codes. The next case management hearing in the rugby litigation is due to be held across two days in July. Both sides have been asked to put forward suggestions for test claimants to the court who will then be used as case studies when the trial begins, potentially next year. 'Since the final sign-up deadline was set, we have been inundated with requests from concerned players and their families,' Rylands added. 'There is no doubt the number affected far exceeds even those we have issued proceedings for.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
More than 1,000 former rugby players in concussion lawsuit
The number of former rugby players taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to more than 1,000, a British law firm said on Monday. Rylands Garth, based in London, said more than 520 ex-players from rugby union and rugby league joined the lawsuit by Friday last week, which was the deadline for new applicants set by a court ahead of a hearing in July and before the case potentially goes to trial next year. It takes the total number of players who are part of the lawsuit to approximately 1,100, Rylands Garth said in a statement. The former players contend, according to Rylands Garth, that 'rugby governing bodies failed to take reasonable action to protect them from the impacts of concussive and sub-concussive blows during their playing careers, despite knowing of the risks.' Claimants are seeking compensation from World Rugby, the English Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union — governing bodies in 15-a-side rugby — and the English Rugby Football League and British Amateur Rugby League Association — from 13-a-side rugby league — for lost earnings, medical bills and care costs associated with their injuries, the firm said. 'Rylands Garth is also calling for urgent and substantive reform of the game to better protect the safety of current and future players — including the creation of an independent brain health ombudsman for the sport,' it said. Among those to have previously joined the class action was World Cup-winning former England hooker Steve Thompson, former New Zealand prop Carl Hayman and former Wales flanker Alix Popham. 'This surge in claimants exposes the deep-rooted issues in rugby,' Rylands Garth said, adding: 'Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours across the rugby world. We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game.' In a joint statement issued by World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU, the governing bodies said they 'are aware of the latest update shared by the claimants' legal representatives with the final number of claimants.' 'We now await full details of their diagnosis and the claims being made. Our thoughts are with any former player facing challenges. 'Across the game, we continue to build on a strong foundation of world-leading initiatives designed to make rugby union as safe as possible.' That includes 'smart mouthguard technology in the elite game, trials of lower tackle height in the community game, and the continued rollout of brain health services to support former players.' Rylands Garth said it also represents approximately 130 former soccer players who are taking similar legal action against soccer governing bodies. The next court hearing for the soccer case is due on June 26.
4 days ago
- Sport
More than 1,000 former rugby players in concussion lawsuit
The number of former rugby players taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to more than 1,000, a British law firm said on Monday. Rylands Garth, based in London, said more than 520 ex-players from rugby union and rugby league joined the lawsuit by Friday last week, which was the deadline for new applicants set by a court ahead of a hearing in July and before the case potentially goes to trial next year. It takes the total number of players who are part of the lawsuit to approximately 1,100, Rylands Garth said in a statement. The former players contend, according to Rylands Garth, that 'rugby governing bodies failed to take reasonable action to protect them from the impacts of concussive and sub-concussive blows during their playing careers, despite knowing of the risks.' Claimants are seeking compensation from World Rugby, the English Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union — governing bodies in 15-a-side rugby — and the English Rugby Football League and British Amateur Rugby League Association — from 13-a-side rugby league — for lost earnings, medical bills and care costs associated with their injuries, the firm said. 'Rylands Garth is also calling for urgent and substantive reform of the game to better protect the safety of current and future players — including the creation of an independent brain health ombudsman for the sport,' it said. Among those to have previously joined the class action was World Cup-winning former England hooker Steve Thompson, former New Zealand prop Carl Hayman and former Wales flanker Alix Popham. 'This surge in claimants exposes the deep-rooted issues in rugby,' Rylands Garth said, adding: "Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours across the rugby world. We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game.' In a joint statement issued by World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU, the governing bodies said they 'are aware of the latest update shared by the claimants' legal representatives with the final number of claimants.' 'We now await full details of their diagnosis and the claims being made. Our thoughts are with any former player facing challenges. 'Across the game, we continue to build on a strong foundation of world-leading initiatives designed to make rugby union as safe as possible." That includes 'smart mouthguard technology in the elite game, trials of lower tackle height in the community game, and the continued rollout of brain health services to support former players.' Rylands Garth said it also represents approximately 130 former soccer players who are taking similar legal action against soccer governing bodies. The next court hearing for the soccer case is due on June 26.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
More than 1,000 former rugby players in concussion lawsuit
The number of former rugby players taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to more than 1,000, a British law firm said on Monday. Rylands Garth, based in London, said more than 520 ex-players from rugby union and rugby league joined the lawsuit by Friday last week, which was the deadline for new applicants set by a court ahead of a hearing in July and before the case potentially goes to trial next year. It takes the total number of players who are part of the lawsuit to approximately 1,100, Rylands Garth said in a statement. The former players contend, according to Rylands Garth, that 'rugby governing bodies failed to take reasonable action to protect them from the impacts of concussive and sub-concussive blows during their playing careers, despite knowing of the risks.' Claimants are seeking compensation from World Rugby, the English Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union — governing bodies in 15-a-side rugby — and the English Rugby Football League and British Amateur Rugby League Association — from 13-a-side rugby league — for lost earnings, medical bills and care costs associated with their injuries, the firm said. 'Rylands Garth is also calling for urgent and substantive reform of the game to better protect the safety of current and future players — including the creation of an independent brain health ombudsman for the sport,' it said. Among those to have previously joined the class action was World Cup-winning former England hooker Steve Thompson, former New Zealand prop Carl Hayman and former Wales flanker Alix Popham. 'This surge in claimants exposes the deep-rooted issues in rugby,' Rylands Garth said, adding: 'Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours across the rugby world. We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game.' In a joint statement issued by World Rugby, the RFU and the WRU, the governing bodies said they 'are aware of the latest update shared by the claimants' legal representatives with the final number of claimants.' 'We now await full details of their diagnosis and the claims being made. Our thoughts are with any former player facing challenges. 'Across the game, we continue to build on a strong foundation of world-leading initiatives designed to make rugby union as safe as possible.' That includes 'smart mouthguard technology in the elite game, trials of lower tackle height in the community game, and the continued rollout of brain health services to support former players.' Rylands Garth said it also represents approximately 130 former soccer players who are taking similar legal action against soccer governing bodies. The next court hearing for the soccer case is due on June 26. ___ AP rugby:
