Daijiworld Media Network – Melbourne
Melbourne, Aug 26: Former Australia batter Will Pucovski has taken legal action against his former school, Brighton Grammar, alleging that the institution failed to follow appropriate concussion protocols after he was knocked unconscious during an Australian rules football training session in 2014.
Pucovski’s lawyers have filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of Victoria, claiming that the incident, which occurred when he was 16, resulted in a traumatic brain injury that he never fully recovered from.
According to Australian media reports, Pucovski suffered the injury when his head collided with a teammate’s knee during an intense training drill. His lawyers allege that he was not provided an appropriate medical assessment, was allowed to resume training and that his parents were not immediately informed.
The claim states that the coach had instructed players to adopt a particularly physical approach following a heavy defeat to Scotch College, with students allegedly told to “go in hard” during the session.
Pucovski was reportedly helped from the field after the collision but later returned to participate in another drill.
His lawyers further allege that he developed severe headaches and other symptoms, including blurred vision and nausea, in the days following the incident. His parents eventually took him to hospital, where medical staff advised him to avoid physical activity and stay away from school while recovering.
The legal claim alleges that the 2014 injury left Pucovski particularly vulnerable to further head trauma. He subsequently suffered a series of concussions during his cricket career and ultimately sustained 13 such injuries before a medical panel advised him to end his playing career.
Pucovski announced his retirement from professional cricket last year at the age of 27.
Regarded as one of Australia’s most promising young batters, Pucovski made his Test debut against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2021. He scored 62 in his first innings.
He finished his first-class career with 2,350 runs at an average of 45.19, including seven centuries and a highest score of 255 not out.