Compensation Claims for Rugby Injuries

The fast-paced nature of rugby, including tackles, will naturally increase the risk of injuries, making the sport one of the more dangerous activities. According to research from the Rugby Players Association, concussions are the most common injuries.

In the 2019-20 English rugby season, 61% of all match injuries were sustained in the tackle. In addition, 42% of all concussion injuries were suffered by the tackler and 32% by the ball carrier (England Rugby).

It’s also important to remember that injuries can occur to spectators when poorly maintained stadiums cause trips and falls.

• Tackles: Did you know the average rugby player makes 40 or more tackles per game? Dangerous or reckless tackles can cause serious injuries to anyone involved.
• Poor Training: Professional and amateur rugby players should have ongoing training that teaches them how to tackle and move properly. Failing to do this can result in injuries.
• Pitch Problems: Issues with poorly maintained pitches can cause slips and trips. Owners have to look after the grounds, protecting both players and spectators.
• Bad Refereeing: Referees must also watch out for the players. In one case, where a rugby player collapsed in a scrum, the referee was held liable.
• Equipment: Teams should always provide their players with adequate safety equipment. Failing to do this makes them liable if an injury occurs.
• Violence: Needless tackles from other players or violence from fans can result in emotional and physical distress. The victim might even file criminal assault charges.

Some rugby injuries are more serious than others, but all will require some recovery. Even minor injuries are eligible for compensation as long as you can prove negligence.

Whether it’s a broken wrist, arm, leg or something more serious, fractures can be extremely painful and take weeks to heal. Severe fractures might even require surgery, while muscle and tendon injuries also mean athletes can’t play for a while.

Shoulder injuries, such as dislocations, will also require immediate treatment. In the worst cases, spinal cord injuries might cause paralysis, which has life-changing effects.

Concussions are the most common injuries among rugby players, and it’s only in recent years that we understand the long-term impacts of repeated head trauma.

Former players have higher risks of developing CTE, a condition primarily associated with repeated concussions.

MND is a rare condition, but it’s common among former rugby players (Rugby 365). As the condition progresses, it causes speech, movement and breathing problems, with people often requiring specialist care.

Former Rugby World Cup players, athletes from Rugby Union and the Welsh Rugby Union teamed together to sue World Rugby for their repeated head injuries. Many have early-onset dementia and other related conditions that will severely impact their quality of life.

While negotiations are still ongoing, the lawsuit highlights the importance of implementing more robust measures to prevent long-term damage (Reuters).

Rugby injuries can have a significant, and sometimes life-changing impact on the player’s life. Their ability to continue to play rugby or other sports, to earn a living and enjoy a normal family and social life can, in more serious cases, be severely impacted.

Unfortunately, simple accidents happen in every walk of life. If your injury was sustained by an accident that was nobody’s fault, for instance, through your own carelessness, you will not be able to claim compensation.

However, if your injury was caused because someone else was negligent or a player made a dangerous or illegal tackle or other move on the rugby pitch, you can start a personal injury claim.

Negligence can occur from numerous parties in rugby, but you have to prove you weren’t at fault. Common forms of negligence include:

If your coach has overworked you or underprepared you for a match, or if you were given insufficient warm-up time before the game, leading to an injury that could have been avoided, you can take action.

If the facilities on the ground were of poor quality, or the equipment you were supplied with were sub-standard, leading to your injury – then you have been badly let down and you are entitled to compensation.

Multi-component programmes that combine more than one element (e.g. warm up sessions, regular training, ankle braces and rehabilitation of injuries) can reduce sporting injuries.Teams that don’t look after their players can be deemed as negligent.

Referees can also be negligent if they don’t stop a match or identify dangerous situations for players.

Other athletes can also be held responsible for your injuries if they knowingly caused undue harm or acted carelessly. Spectators injured by others could also claim compensation, although proving negligence will depend on who was responsible for crowd control.

Before claiming compensation, it’s best to determine whether you’re eligible. Phoning 0800 234 6438 or using the online form gives you access to a specialist legal advisor whose sole purpose is helping you decide whether you can make a claim.

If the advisor feels you’re eligible they’ll connect you with a specialist no win no fee solicitor who will argue your case.

You should start your claim as soon as possible because any legal proceedings must be underway within three years of the date of the incident. Otherwise, your claim may be ‘time-barred’.

Most rugby injury claims are settled out of court, but you will need to have expert medical evidence before the claim can be resolved.

Whatever the circumstances of your injury, you need to pull together as much information as possible as soon as you can.

The information (evidence) you will need includes:

• Witness accounts of what happened
• Photographs of the pitch, any equipment, and your injuries
• Sketches of what happened
• Accident book records
• Anything else that can help support your claim

To claim for any expenses that resulted from your injury, such as travel costs, prescription charges, and medical care, you will need to provide your lawyer with receipts, invoices, and so on, as evidence.

Your no win no fee solicitor will argue the claim on your behalf, demonstrating negligence and explaining your injuries.

You might require a medical assessment, which will prove how the accident impacts your life, and ensure your solicitor can secure the maximum compensation.

Hopefully, the person (or organisation) you are claiming compensation from will admit they were at fault, and you will be able to negotiate a satisfactory settlement without having to go to a court hearing. Otherwise, you will have to go court where the judge will decide on liability, and the amount of compensation that should be awarded.

Nobody wants to discourage those who seek to keep fit through sporting exercise, but the no win no fee personal injury system means that you can do so safe in the knowledge that you won’t be the one to ultimately pay for other people’s negligence.

Once both parties agree on a compensation amount, you’ll receive the money and your solicitor will take their fee out of the award. You can then use this money to pay for specialist treatments, recover your finances, or adapt to your home.

The money you receive won’t take the pain away, or make up for your career, but it can provide vital support when you need it most.

Heading to a traditional solicitor might seem easier, but there’s no guarantees that you’ll win the case. So, you’ll pay an hourly fee throughout the case, which will inevitably have an impact on your financial stability.

If you don’t win, you’ll be in debt and have no financial support. No win no fee solicitors don’t issue any upfront fees, and only receive money if they win the case for you. That means you don’t have to worry about financial trouble and can enjoy peace of mind.

There’s no set amount for rugby injury compensation as the amount you receive depends on the injuries and their impact on your life. Solicitors look at general and special damages to calculate a realistic amount, which includes the following factors:

• The injuries themselves. For example,people with severe back and neck injuries will get more than someone with a broken leg.
• Any pain and suffering, including mental and emotional distress from the accident.
• Medical expenses, lost income and any other expenses.
• Whether you require ongoing care and adaptations to your property.

Your solicitor will be able to provide an estimate based on their experience of arguing previous cases.

Starting your rugby injury compensation claim today gives you plenty of time to seek legal advice and gain access to a no win no fee lawyer.

Remember, you only have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim, and starting today gives you peace of mind for tomorrow. Please call 0800 234 6438 or use the online form for immediate support.