Richmond star has a HUGE boost as he sues Tigers over brain disease and chronic back injuries that left him ‘crippled’ and unable to keep his job – shockwaves through footy
Ty Zantuck has been given green light to sue former club Richmond
The ex-AFL player suffered a brain disease and a chronic back injury at the club
A Supreme Court judge says 40-year-old can file a legal claim
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Former AFL player Ty Zantuck may pursue his claim for damages against Richmond Football Club after a Supreme Court judge granted his request for an extension of time.
Zantuck was diagnosed with suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy – a deadly brain disease – in late 2021.
He is seeking damages from Richmond for managing concussions on the pitch he sustained while playing 58 games for the club between 2000 and 2004.
Former Richmond star Ty Zantuck got a huge boost in his efforts to sue his old club
Zantuck claims that Richmond has failed in their duty of care to properly monitor and treat any concussion or concussion symptoms.
The 40-year-old also wants to sue Richmond for treatment for a chronic back injury that left him in constant severe pain.
The former player claims he had to complete a summer training camp in 2002 after he was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his lower back.
Zantuck also claims that doctors in Richmond treated his back pain between 2002 and 2004 with injections of local anesthetic and cortisone, as well as epidural.
Zantuck was traded to Essendon Football Club in late 2004 and played nine games with the Bombers before retiring at the end of the 2005 season.
Zantuck was diagnosed with a brain disease and a chronic back injury during his time with the Tigers before moving to the Bombers in late 2004.
He claims he has not had a stable job since then due to his back injury.
There is a time limit for filing personal injury claims, often no more than six years after the injury occurred.
But following an application from Zantuck’s attorneys, Associate Justice Mary-Jane Ierodiaconou ruled Tuesday that he would be given a reprieve to file the damages claims.
She found that while the claims were filed “significantly late,” the reason for the delay was understandable and reasonable.
The court was told that Zantuck made attempts to file a claim for his back injury in 2006 and 2012, but he was advised by lawyers that it would be a waste of time.
Richmond declined to comment when contacted in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling
Justice Ierodiaconou said Zantuck’s life was effectively “crippled” by his back injury and the alleged behavior of the club doctors was “outrageous”.
She also noted that Zantuck was not diagnosed with his acquired brain injury until late 2021, with the ramifications of such an injury likely to become more pronounced over time.
The Richmond Football Club and the two doctors at the center of the claim will have a chance to appeal the ruling.
The club declined to comment on Tuesday.
Greg Griffin, attorney and Zantuck director at Griffins Lawyers, said the Supreme Court ruling was a great outcome.
“Ty fought for years to make his case,” Mr. Griffin said.
“It’s a great relief for Ty and gives him the opportunity to hear and decide his case in the Supreme Court.”