Not Enough Being Done to Protect Players from Head Injuries In Rugby

Posted: April 22, 2015

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries Sporting Injuries 

The world of rugby was left shocked once again following the death of an amateur Australian rugby player after he suffered a head knock. 

Nicholas Tooth collided with an opponent’s shoulder when making a tackle and despite being rushed to the hospital, he died the next day. The president of the Quirindi Lions football club, Charles Murray said:

“It really was just a tragic accident, Nick went in to tackle an opponent and his head clashed with [the opponent’s] shoulder and he went down.”

“There was no foul play, nothing untoward about it at all, sadly it was just a very tragic accident.“

Injuries In Rugby

It is not the first time that the world of rugby has been left in shocked in regards to protecting players who are suffering following a head injury. The opening encounter between England and Wales in the Six Nations was marred by the Welsh medical team failing to notice that winger, George North, was knocked out when he went in to tackle a player. 

Despite slow motion replays being shown on screen from the 82,000 spectators, the Welsh Rugby Union team failed to notice that North had been knocked out cold, opting to keep North on the field after some treatment. Physios and other medical staff later stated that North should have been removed from the fixture. 

The WRU came under heavy criticism for failing to protect their players with North having to miss the next game in the Six Nations competition due to his injuries. 

Failing to Properly Protect Players

Public health experts have warned that not enough is being done to protect players at all levels, with some even criticising how the players are protected when they first begin to play the game. Professor Allyson Pollock, said:

“Given that children are more susceptible to injuries such as concussion and often take longer to recover fully, the Government’s plan to increase funding of and participation in rugby in schools in the absence of a comprehensive system for injury surveillance and prevention is worrying.“

“Only by collecting injury data and by providing feedback to individuals and organisations working on safety initiatives will the short and long-term effects of injury prevention programmes, whether for rugby or any other sport, be known.”

Studies suggest that 12% of children and teenagers who play rugby sustain an injury severe enough to be sidelined for seven days.

Research found that scrums were the “most dangerous phase of play“.

Head Injuries

Head injuries can result in memory loss, brain fractures, headaches, difficulty sleeping or even death. If you are involved in an accident or suffer a blow to the head when playing sport, it is imperative that you seek advice from a medical professional. Sadly head injuries are common in almost any accident. Therefore, it is worthwhile to have the full extent of your injuries assessed.

Contact Us

Due to the fragile nature of your head, such injuries tend to be awarded more compensation but are more complicated. Therefore, it is worthwhile to seek the advice of a skilled professional solicitor. Our personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve, To find out if you are entitled to make a personal injury claim, contact us today by calling 01418 465 957. 

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