A READING rugby player has won a High Court case worth in excess of £10million after she was left paralysed from the waist down following an illegal tackle.

Dani Czernuszka, 34, broke her spine after Natasha King ‘frog-splatted’ onto her in an amateur league match between her team Reading Sirens and Bracknell Ladies in October 2017.

In a legal first for the ladies’ amateur rugby game, Mr Justice Spencer ruled that Ms King, from Bracknell, was liable for the severe spinal fracture and spinal cord injury Mrs Czernuska sustained as a result of the ‘dangerous’ and ‘illegal’ tackle.

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The court heard that Ms King, who was not penalised by the match referee for the incident, exerted her full weight downwards on to the head and back of Mrs Czernuska when she was bent over in a crouched position waiting to receive the ball.

Mrs Czernuszka, who now plays para ice hockey for Team GB, was hospitalised for six months after the injury and now faces a lifetime of profound disability dependant on the use of a wheelchair.

The verdict sets a precedent for sporting injury claims and clarifies the application of previous case law surrounding spinal cord sporting injuries.

Mrs Czernuszka said: “I am grateful for today’s ruling and to finally put to bed all of the untruths and fabrications surrounding what happened during the game that day.

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

“Sport has always given me great pleasure in life, and I don’t blame the game of rugby for what happened that day. Ultimately, I feel I was let down by improper and poor behaviour from the opposing player, coaching staff and the referee.

“With the unparalleled support of my legal team, I hope I can use my injury and the outcome of today’s trial to raise awareness of the dangerous lines that shouldn’t be crossed when playing sport – no matter the level.”

Representing Mrs Czernuska during the case was Damian Horan, legal director, and Anna West, senior solicitor, at Aspire Law, the UK’s only spinal cord injury law firm.

Mr Horan said: “Rugby is a sport to be enjoyed by players and spectators from grassroots level right through to the professional game.

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

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“We are pleased with the High Court’s verdict and will continue to work with Dani and her family to ensure she receives the financial and rehabilitory support she needs following her spinal cord injury.

“The outcome sets a legal precedent for future sporting injury claims involving spinal cord injuries and we hope that Mrs Czernuska’s case goes a long way to raise awareness of the dangers involved with foul play on the sporting field.”