Parents of rugby player Benjamin Robinson issue

The parents of Benjamin Robinson, the Carrickfergus Grammar School rugby player who died as a result of head injuries sustained in a rugby match in January 2011, have issued legal proceedings in Belfast High Court against a number of rugby institutions and two individuals.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Ulster Rugby, World Rugby, Carrickfergus Grammar School, the coach of the school team Neal Kennedyand the referee, David Brown, who officiated at the match have all been named in the writ. Proceedings in the matter are well advanced.

Benjamin (14) died in the Royal Victoria Hospital on January 31st 2011 as a result of head injuries sustained during this match. A statement to The Irish Times explains that legal proceedings have been taken “for negligence regarding concussive type injuries and the safety and management of the game and their failures in their duty of care owed to Benjamin.”

It is the first case of its kind to be taken in Ireland concerning a death due to Second Impact Syndrome, where an injury already sustained causes swelling to the brain and the player receives another blow that causes further injury and in this instance the death of the teenager.

“At Benjamin’s inquest, the Coroner determined that Benjamin’s cause of death was Second Impact Syndrome due to head injuries he sustained during the rugby match,” said the statement. “The Family’s legal team have gathered further evidence to confirm that Benjamin’s death was due to Second Impact Syndrome and was preventable.” 

The statement alleges that there were numerous opportunities for those in charge to notice that Benjamin had sustained several concussive type head injuries.

source : irishtime.com