Retired Australia batter Will Pucovski has launched legal action against his former school Brighton Grammar, alleging that it failed to follow proper concussion protocols after he was knocked unconscious during an Australian rules football training session in 2014.
The legal claim alleges the incident caused a traumatic brain injury that Pucovski never fully recovered from and left him more vulnerable to repeated concussions during his cricket career.
Legal Action Over 2014 Injury
Pucovski’s lawyers have filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of Victoria, according to Australian media reports.
The claim alleges that Pucovski, then 16, lost consciousness after his head collided with a teammate’s knee during an intensely physical training drill.
His lawyers allege that he did not receive an appropriate medical assessment, was allowed to return to training and that his parents were not immediately informed about the incident.
The training session reportedly followed a heavy defeat to Scotch College, with the coach allegedly instructing players to “go in hard” during the session.
Pucovski was helped from the field after the collision but is alleged to have later returned to participate in another drill.
Symptoms Continued After Concussion
According to the claim, Pucovski developed severe headaches and other symptoms in the following days, including blurred vision and nausea.
His parents eventually took him to hospital, where medical staff advised him to avoid physical activity and stay away from school while recovering.
Pucovski’s lawyers allege that the initial injury had lasting consequences and contributed to his susceptibility to further head trauma.
He subsequently suffered a series of concussions during his cricket career, eventually sustaining 13 in total.
A medical panel later advised him to end his playing career, bringing an early conclusion to the career of one of Australia’s most highly rated young batters.
Promising Career Cut Short
Pucovski made his Australia Test debut against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2021.
He marked the occasion with an impressive 62 in his first innings and appeared destined for a long international career.
However, repeated concussion problems continued to disrupt his progress.
He announced his retirement from professional cricket last year at the age of 27.
Pucovski finished his first-class career with 2,350 runs at an average of 45.19, including seven centuries and a career-best 255 not out.
His legal action now centres on whether the handling of his first major concussion during his school years contributed to the repeated head injuries that ultimately brought his cricket career to an early end.
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