Former Saracens player settles £3m 'fire extinguisher' case
Former Saracens player Matt Hankin has settled part of a £3 million case taken against a former teammate and the Saracens team doctor after he was hit over the head with a fire extinguisher during a team bonding trip to Budapest.
The incident lead to eventual retirement from the game in 2018 at the age of just 25.
Hankin took a case against Saracens prop Richard Barrington and team doctor Ademola Adejuwon as a result of the incident and subsequent health issues he suffered.
The case has now been settled with these two parties for an undisclosed amount. A case against Saracens is still ongoing.
Hankin says he has been left with long-term concussion symptoms as a result of the blow from Barrington- and a subsequent on-field injury.
Hankin was wearing a metal helmet when he was hit on the head with the extinguisher by Barrington as part of a boozy party game he and his teammates had been playing.
The former England U20s described his symptoms as making him feel anxious, isolated and "a prisoner in his own home" in a previous interview upon retirement.
The court heard how after the fire extinguisher incident in Hungary, he returned to the UK with symptoms of concussion.
'The claimant was a professional rugby player,' said judge, Deputy Master Colin Campbell. 'During a pre-season tour in Budapest on 6 September 2015, the team became involved in a traditional off-the-pitch drinking game, during the course of which the claimant suffered a severe head injury.
'The tap on the head he had received during the course of the game had been administered by Mr Barrington.
'On his return to England the following day, the claimant displayed symptoms of concussion. Between 8th and 15th September, the claimant had been placed on a graduated return to play although he had complained of dizzy spells and vomiting after exercise.
'Following a medical review by Dr Adejuwon, the claimant had been diagnosed with sinusitis and prescribed a nasal spray, a dose which was repeated on 2 October 2015 when he was told that he was fit to play rugby the following day.
'During the match in question, the claimant had suffered a further head injury, resulting in another concussion.
'Subsequently the claimant was diagnosed with post-traumatic vestibular disorder and persistent post-traumatic vestibular migraine.'
Now 28, he had been part of the England U20 side that won the Junior World Championship in 2013 and had looked to be on a path to higher honours before he was forced to retire from the game.
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Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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