Rugby player wins £10m High Court case against opponent who ‘flattened’ her

Daniel Czernuska (Image: Dani Czernuska)

A READING rugby player has won a High Court case worth over £10million after being paralyzed from the waist down following an illegal tackle.

Dani Czernuszka, 34, broke her back after Natasha King spattered her with ‘frog spatter’ in an amateur league game between her team Reading Sirens and Bracknell Ladies in October 2017.

In a legal first for the women’s amateur rugby game, Mr Justice Spencer ruled that Ms King, from Bracknell, is responsible for the serious fractured spine and spinal cord injury suffered by Ms Czernuska as a result of the ‘dangerous’ and ‘illegal’ attack.

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The court heard that Ms King, who was not penalized by the referee for the incident, put her full weight down on Ms Czernuska’s head and back as she crouched, hunched over, waiting for the ball to be received.

Ms Czernuszka, who now plays para ice hockey for Team GB, was hospitalized for six months after the injury and now faces a lifelong severe disability dependent on the use of a wheelchair.

The ruling sets a precedent for sports injury claims and clarifies the application of previous case law on sports injuries to the spinal cord.

Ms Czernuszka said: “I’m grateful for today’s verdict and for finally clearing up all the untruths and fabrications surrounding what happened that day during the match.

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“Learning to live with my life-changing injuries has been difficult and something I could not have done without the support of my family and close friends.

“Sport has always been a great joy in life and I don’t blame the game of rugby for what happened that day. Ultimately, I feel let down by inappropriate and bad behavior from the opposing player, coaching staff and referee.

“With the unparalleled support of my legal team, I hope to use my injury and the outcome of today’s trial to raise awareness of the dangerous boundaries that should not be crossed in sport – at any level.”

The story goes on

Ms Czernuska was represented during the case by Damian Horan, Legal Director, and Anna West, Senior Solicitor, at Aspire Law, the only UK spinal cord injury law firm.

Mr Horan said: “Rugby is a sport that players and spectators can enjoy from grassroots to professional play.

“However, this case is a timely reminder that a player’s actions on the pitch can never stay on the pitch and can have disastrous consequences.

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“We are delighted with the High Court’s ruling and will continue to work with Dani and her family to ensure she has the financial and rehabilitation support she needs following her spinal cord injury.

“The result sets a precedent for future spinal cord-related sports injury claims and we hope that Ms Czernuska’s case will go a long way in raising awareness of the dangers of foul play on the sports field.”