With James McManus launching proceedings against the Newcastle Knights, rugby league is entering similar waters that the NFL and other sports have already sailed.
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After years of former players being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other serious brain injuries, a $US1 billion ($1.3 billion) settlement was agreed in a class action against the NFL to cover the health care of current and former American football players.
The NFL has estimated that 6000 of nearly 20,000 former players were expected to suffer Alzheimer's disease or moderate dementia, demonstrating a link between American football and brain disorders.
The settlement, finalised in April 2015, staggered the payments across three tiers, with a younger retiree diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease receiving $US5 million. Those with serious dementia would receive $3 million, while an 80-year-old retiree with early dementia would receive $25,000.
On average, a former player would receive $190,000.
The NFL denied it knew about the concussion risks of the sport, and the settlement does not implicate the NFL in having knowledge of the risks to players.
The settlement provides access to the funds to any NFL player who is diagnosed with some form of brain injury, such as dementia, without forcing the player to prove the disease was directly or indirectly caused by American football. They simply need to show they played football, and are then entitled to the funds.
Following the former NFL players' suit against the league, college football players have also launched proceedings for concussion-related injuries after retirement.
A settlement was reached for $US75 million to cover former college football players in July 2016, but did not cover personal injury claims. As a result, a host of lawsuits have emerged in multiple colleges from former players who seek damages for injuries they claim stem from mishandled concussions.
College footballers are unpaid student athletes, and less than 5 per cent of these athletes are drafted to the NFL.
While rugby league has not had a concussion-related lawsuit until now, rugby union has entered this debate.
The Irishman, a cousin of former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, suffered two head injuries in a game against Swansea in March 2015.
He received treatment in the first half for a head injury before receiving a second head blow.
He was replaced in the game and never played professionally again. He had suffered previous concussions and was forced to retire aged 28.
