Former Blue Bulls prop Morné Mellett (28) has issued summons for R45m against a team doctor, Herman Rossouw and the Blue Bulls Company for his loss of income following an injury.
According to Rapport, Mellett was injured in a Super Rugby match in July 2015. He sustained an injury to his neck and is now claiming negligence by the union and team doctor for not taking him off the field immediately.
The report says his papers filed in the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria), said that the trauma to his neck caused a tear to his right vertebral artery. At the time of the injury, Rossouw attended to him and gave the green light to continue playing, Mellett says. He alleges that by continuing to play complications occurred which led to a mild stroke. He now cannot pursue a rugby career and lives in constant fear that a blood clot behind his ear may be dislodged at any time, threatening his life.
Mellett claims he lost R45m in income he would have earned as in international rugby player in Wales. Blue Bulls CEO Barend van Graan said the union will oppose the claim.
[link url="https://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Hof/stut-eis-r45-m-by-bulle-20180714"]Rapport report (subscription needed)[/link]