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Liability For Rugby Related Neuro-Degenerative Disease: A Question of Tort

Cave, Emma; Purshouse, Craig; Purshouse, Joe

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Authors

Craig Purshouse

Joe Purshouse



Abstract

This article examines the potential liability of rugby governing bodies in negligence for their alleged past failures to protect players from known risks associated with the neurodegenerative consequences of rugby-related traumatic brain injury. Not only is there a strong public interest in the claims given the impact it could have on the game, but the claims raise novel issues in tort law and legal medicine. We consider the action in negligence in light of recent developments such as scientific advances in relation to both causes and diagnoses of neurodegenerative disease, criticism of the industry from independent committees, and increased readiness of the courts to hold sporting bodies to account. The article sets out the barriers a claimant would face and the doctrinal advances that would be required to overcome them. While other writers have been sceptical of the chances of claimant success, the argument put forward in this article is that barriers to a claim are not insurmountable, provided the claim is carefully articulated taking account of both doctrine and the developing evidence base.

Citation

Cave, E., Purshouse, C., & Purshouse, J. (2024). Liability For Rugby Related Neuro-Degenerative Disease: A Question of Tort. Journal of Personal Injury Law, 2, 93-112

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 12, 2024
Publication Date 2024-05
Deposit Date Feb 12, 2024
Publicly Available Date May 31, 2024
Journal Journal of Personal Injury Law
Publisher Sweet and Maxwell
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 2
Pages 93-112
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2252169
Publisher URL https://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/Product/Personal-Injury-Law/Journal-of-Personal-Injury-Law/Journal/30791318

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