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Footy star sues club after allegedly being denied water in life-threatening training incident...
as he reveals heartbreaking reason why he is taking action Lloyd Perrett has taken his first steps in his lawsuit vs Manly Former prop claims he was denied water during training session He has explained his motivation behind going to court By Ollie Lewis Published: 07:17, 19 September 2024 | Updated: 07:17, 19 September 2024 e-mail Former Manly Sea Eagles prop Lloyd Perrett has begun legal action against the NRL club after he suffered a life-altering seizure in 2017. The 29-year-old collapsed during a training session and alleges he was denied water and reportedly forced to continue running while at the point of exhaustion. Perrett later woke up in hospital 'literally on my deathbed' while surrounded by doctors and claims his professional footy career 'was gone in an instant'.
He managed to play in the NRL again, having featured for Manly in the 2019 finals, but was never the same player or person. According to the Sydney Morning Herald , Perrett's solicitors, Carter Capner, sent a letter to the Sea Eagles last week requesting preliminary discovery material in order to help determine whether the case can go ahead. The letter reportedly reads: 'Our client believes that he may have a legal cause of action against you for compensatory damages for his injuries arising from your negligence by way of: '(a) requiring the training squad to conduct three consecutive 2 km time trials in quick succession in hot, sunny and muggy conditions; Lloyd Perrett (pictured carrying the ball) has taken his first steps in his legal dispute with Manly Sea Eagles The former prop (pictured running the ball) claims he suffered life-changing injuries during a training session in 2017 '(b) requiring the training squad to drink no water or other fluids during the time trials; and '(c) failing to monitor the health of members of the squad during the course of such training.
' Perrett's lawyers also requested the following material, according to the SMH: Perrett's employment records, including contracts; Induction, health, fitness and performance assessments for his period of employment; All documents relating to a heat study the club arranged for Perrett and the stress tests conducted on him around January 2018; Statements from those who saw Perrett's collapse; All materials relating to the training program in November 2017. Perrett revealed he decided to take legal action seven years after the alleged incident due to the death of former Manly player Keith Titmuss, who died due to exertional heatstroke during a training session. 'It's been an option for a long time but I avoided it because I don't want to look like someone who is trying to get money,' Perrett said when news of the lawsuit first emerged.
'I'm not trying to get rich, nothing like that. 'I spoke to an occupational therapist and they said it's survivor's guilt. I was feeling really sad and upset [about Titmuss].
Not only did he not survive and I did, but he was my teammate and I knew him. He was only 18 years old when I was there ..
. it was like a little brother type of thing. Perrett said he is taking action following the death of his former teammate Keith Titmuss (pictured) 'I feel I need to do this.
It's not about money, it's not about me. I put my ego aside because I know people are going to tease me, they already are. They're saying I'm just a wash-up, I'm not good enough, that I'm trying to get money and all that.
'But it's about player safety. The RLPA [Rugby League Players' Association] reached out to me and said the same thing: if it means a better outcome and better conditions for players for the game as a whole, then I'm all for it.' None of the staff who ran the session remain at the club.
Manly declined to comment when approached by the SMH. Another footy star, Benkato 'Kato' Ottio, also died during a training session, with the cause of death deemed likely to be exertional heatstroke. 'Out of the three, I'm the only one who survived,' Perrett said.
'I feel responsible not just for those boys and their honour, but for future players. Young guys who will do whatever it takes to be an NRL player to impress their coach and win the trust of their teammates. 'This can't happen.
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