‘DEMENTIA CLAIM FLOODGATES ARE OPEN’
STEVE THOMPSON’S legal fight against the rugby union authorities will “open the floodgates” for similar lawsuits across other sports, a leading lawyer has claimed.
Six more ex-rugby union players have joined the legal action against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, over an alleged failure to protect them from the risks caused by concussions.
Rylands Law, who are representing the players, delivered a letter of f claim to the defendants on Thursday.
There are currently nine test cases, but the firm is in contact with 130 former players, who have expressed interest in the claim.
England legend Thompson, 42, (below) revealed he is suffering from early onset dementia and described how he could not recall winning the World Cup in 2003 and was now taking legal action.
Top lawyer Richard Cramer, of Leeds-based firm Front Row Legal said: “The floodgates will now open. The Thompson case is clearly a headline story, so what is happening in rugby union will build momentum and put any contact sport under the spotlight.
“In boxing, Michael Watson made a successful claim against the governing body – whatever sport it is, brain injuries are up for debate.
“We have seen in football where they are looking at players not heading the ball in training and at the concussion protocols.
“Nobby Stiles’ family are leading a campaign, following on from Jeff Astle’s family, to enquire why these head injuries have led to some really difficult illnesses.
“Dementia is one of them, so we’re in it now and I don’t think it can be shoved under the carpet. Suddenly a taboo subject is being debated – the dam has broken.”