Australian Football League Faces Unprecedented Class Action Suit by 60 Former Players Over Head Injuries

Australian Football League Faces Unprecedented Class Action Suit by 60 Former Players Over Head Injuries

The Australian Football League (AFL) is facing its biggest legal battle yet, as 60 players launched a class action suit against the league last week.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for concussions and head injuries sustained during their playing careers. Max Rooke, a Geelong premiership player, has been named as the lead plaintiff in the landmark case.

Margalit Injury Lawyers, the law firm representing the players, lodged the class action at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

The firm’s managing principal, Michel Margalit, stated that players could be awarded over $2 million each in addition to medical expenses. The class action has been launched on behalf of players who were employed by one or more AFL clubs between 1985 and 14 March 2023 and suffered concussion or damage from concussions.

The lawsuit alleges that Rooke sustained up to 30 concussions during his career, which included 135 games for the Cats and two grand final victories. The suit claims that the injuries sustained have caused permanent, life-altering damage due to the AFL’s negligence. Other players involved in the legal action have not been revealed.

Former Western Bulldogs premiership player Liam Picken also filed a separate action against the AFL, seeking compensation from his former club and club doctors over concussions he suffered during his career.

In response to the legal action, the AFL announced a $25 million investment in a long-term study into the effects of concussion. Margalit Injury Lawyers released a statement expressing concern for the players and their loved ones. The law firm stated that some players have been unable to hold down a job since leaving the AFL and live with constant physical and mental pain.

Margalit Injury Lawyers hopes that the AFL will engage in early resolution discussions to avoid prolonging the suffering of the former players. The law firm also stressed that financial compensation can never fix the damage caused by concussions, but it will be an important recognition of the damage inflicted on the players.

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