Lawyers for paralysed former rugby league player Alex McKinnon have written to Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) amid reports he is planning a multi-million-dollar lawsuit. The 24-year-old, who must use a wheelchair for life after suffering extensive spinal injuries in a tackle in 2014, is reportedly seeking compensation from the NRL and the player involved in the incident.
The lawsuit is said to name Melbourne Storm player Jordan McLean, who was banned for seven matches for the dangerous spear tackle. The Daily Telegraph reported that McKinnon is pursuing legal action over the injury sustained during a match between the Newcastle Knights and the Storm.
The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) backed McKinnon on Monday, saying his injury was 'life changing'. In a statement, the RLPA said: 'Alex has the right to pursue any and all legal options available to him in relation to his injury and it is appropriate that he has engaged his own legal representatives to assist him.'
McKinnon received the NRL's maximum compensation payout of A$500,000 (£292,452) after the incident, along with a further A$1.5m through the Rise For Alex fundraising campaign. Newcastle also paid him A$750,000 to honour a contract extension offered before his injury. He is currently employed by the club in a player recruitment role.
In his autobiography, Unbroken, McKinnon mentioned the possibility of legal action, writing: 'If you do something illegal while driving a car and render somebody for the rest of their life in a wheelchair, you pay the consequences.'
The NRL confirmed it had been contacted by McKinnon's lawyer but said no claim had been lodged. 'We are in correspondence with Alex's lawyer but we understand no claim has been lodged,' an NRL spokesperson said.
