Bulls preparing for big court case
REACTION: The Blue Bulls Company are gearing up for a massive court case, after it came to light that they are being sued for ZAR45-million by a former player.
Prop Morné Mellett, who was forced to retire in 2015 as a result of a head injury he suffered in a game, has filed the lawsuit against the Bulls.
Weekend media reports revealed that the 28-year-old is claiming that Bulls team doctor Herman Rossouw was ‘negligent’ for allowing him to continue playing – after he suffered a blow to the neck in the game between the Bulls and the Kings in Port Elizabeth.
Barend van Graan, Chief Executive of the BBC, confirmed to rugby365 that they received the summons.
“Our legal team is handling the case,” he said.
The ‘notice of intention to defend’ has to be filed with the court by July 21.
After that, the BBC has 20 days to reply.
Van Graan was not willing to discuss the matter, other than to confirm they will oppose the claim.
According to the weekend reports, in the Afrikaans newspaper Rapport, the blow to the neck resulted in a tear in an artery – which was aggravated when the team doctor allowed him to return to the playing field.
He subsequently suffered two strokes, as a result of a blood clot that formed and is running the risk of the clot entering his brain and causing his death.
His claim is the team doctor was negligent and his handling of the case.
As a result, the player suffered a loss of income – between ZAR13-million and ZAR46-million – because he could not take up a contract with a European franchise or continue his chosen career.
It is not the first case of its kind.
In 2016 Cillian Willis became the first professional rugby player to sue an English club for clinical negligence over concussion in a landmark case for the sport.
The former scrumhalf took the action against Sale Sharks over two head injuries he suffered in a game against Swansea in the LV Cup in March 2015.
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