- Lloyd Perrett has taken his first steps in his legal case against Manly
- Former prop claims he was denied water during training session
- He explained his motivation for going to court
Former Manly Sea Eagles mainstay Lloyd Perrett has launched legal proceedings against the NRL club after suffering a life-changing seizure in 2017.
The 29-year-old man fell asleep during a training session and claims he was not given water and was forced to continue running despite being nearly exhausted.
Perrett later woke up in hospital ‘literally on his deathbed’, surrounded by doctors, claiming his professional football career was ‘over in the blink of an eye’.
He played in the NRL again, playing for Manly in the 2019 finals, but he was never the same player or person again.
According to the Sydney Morning HeraldPerrett’s attorney, Carter Capner, sent a letter to the Sea Eagles last week requesting preliminary evidence to determine whether the case can proceed.
The letter reportedly states: ‘Our client believes that he can commence legal proceedings against you for compensation for his injuries resulting from your negligence, by:
‘(a) imposing an obligation on the training group to hold three consecutive 2 km time trials in close succession in hot, sunny and humid conditions;
Lloyd Perrett (pictured with the ball) has taken his first steps in his legal dispute with Manly Sea Eagles
The former prop (pictured running with the ball) claims he suffered life-changing injuries during a training session in 2017
‘(b) requiring the training group not to drink water or other fluids during the time trials; and
‘(c) failing to monitor the health of team members during training.’
According to the SMH, Perrett’s lawyers have also requested the following material:
- Perrett’s employment details, including contracts;
- Induction, health, fitness and performance assessments for his employment;
- All documents relating to a heat test the club commissioned for Perrett and the stress tests carried out on him around January 2018;
- Statements from those who witnessed Perrett’s collapse;
- All materials related to the training program in November 2017.
Perrett revealed he decided to take legal action seven years after the alleged incident over the death of former Manly player Keith Titmuss, who died of heatstroke during a training session.
“It’s been an option for a while, but I’ve avoided it because I don’t want to come across as someone who’s after money,” Perrett said when news of the lawsuit first broke.
‘I’m not trying to get rich, not at all.
‘I spoke to an occupational therapist and she said it was survivor’s guilt. I felt very 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… he was like a little brother.
Perrett said he is taking action following the death of his former teammate Keith Titmuss (pictured)
‘I feel like I have to do this. It’s not about the money, it’s not about me. I put my ego aside because I know people are going to tease me, they already do. They say I’m just a dishwasher, that I’m not good enough, that I’m trying to make money and stuff like 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 circumstances for players and for the sport as a whole, then I’m all for it.’
None of the staff who led the session are still with the club. Manly declined to comment when approached by the SMH.
Another football star, Benkato ‘Kato’ Ottio, also died during a training session. The cause of death is believed to be exertional heat stroke.
“Out of the three, I’m the only one who survived,” Perrett said.
‘I feel responsible not only for those guys and their honour, but also for future players. Young guys who are doing everything they can to become an NRL player, impress their coach and gain the trust of their teammates.
“This can’t be happening.”