World Rugby loses bid to throw out concussion lawsuits
Hundreds of claims against rugby's governing bodies from players who allege they suffered brain injuries during their careers can continue to trial, the London High Court has ruled.
A London High Court ruling allows concussion lawsuits against World Rugby and other governing bodies to proceed to trial despite claims that thousands of players' lawyers failed to comply with court orders. The cases involve hundreds of professional and amateur players who allege they suffered neurological injuries including early-onset dementia, Parkinson's, epilepsy and motor neurone disease from repeated head impacts sustained during their rugby careers.
The governing bodies deny any wrongdoing and argue that the players' lawyers should be held responsible for the non-compliance with court orders. Judge David Cook expressed hesitation to dismiss the claims but ruled they should proceed to trial, citing the exceptional circumstances and the potential impact on the sport at amateur and professional levels.
He recognized the delay and expense caused so far but emphasized that this can be rectified through better case management and costs compensation. The judge also noted that the players' vulnerability should prevent them from being punished for their legal representatives' failures. The players' lawyers argued that the breaches were not serious, but the governing bodies' lawyers claimed non-compliance was systemic. The ruling will have significant implications for the way rugby is conducted at all levels.
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