Student rugby player who suffered brain damage sues school and hospital

A student who was injured after he got a knock to the head during rugby training but played in the final minutes of a schools’ match 17 days later sustained another head injury and ended up brain damaged, the High Court has heard.

Lucas Neville has now launched an action for €5m damages.

Mr Neville was on the second rugby team of St Michael’s College, Ailesbury Road, South Dublin, before he suffered the injuries on November 28, 2009, the court heard.

He was called from the subs’ bench to play the final minutes of a match against St Mary’s, on that date. He suffered another blow to the head.

His mother had told the school of his being concussed after getting a knee in the head on November 11, 2009, during training, and was assured school protocol preventing any student with head injuries participating in contact sports for 21 days after injury would be implemented, the court heard.

Mr Neville, aged 22, of Pembroke Lawns, Ballsbridge, has sued the school alleging it owed him a duty of care and stood “in loco parentis” of him while he was engaged in sporting activities on behalf of the school. He has also sued a nominee of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group as owner of St Vincent’s Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, over alleged negligence in his treatment there.

Liability has been admitted. The case is before Mr Justice Sean Ryan for assessment of damages only.