INJURIES AT RUGBY

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1931, Page 7

INJURIES AT RUGBY

PAYING DENTIST’S BILL. UNION DECLINES REQUEST. It was held by the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union, when a claim was made by a player in respect of a broken tooth, that it was unable to pay dental expenses out of its accident fund. The player concerned, a member of the Berhampore Club, wrote stating that in the senior A match between his club and Marist one of his front teeth was broken at the base. The tooth was in perfect condition before the match, and as a result of the accident he had had to have a gold and porcelain crown made. He enclosed a dentist’s bill of £2 10s. Mr. J. Moffitt said that if a previous management committee had decided not to pay dental expenses, the present management committee was not bound by that decision. Many of the players were unaware of the fact that they were unable to claim dental expenses. Mr. J. N. Millard stated that from £7OO to £SOO had been paid out by the union last year on account of injuries. Mr. A. J. Griffiths said his view had always been that if a player had a good, sound tooth damaged in a match the union should recognise the injury in the same light as bodily injuries. On the other hand, if the practice were adopted of paying dental expenses, it would probably be open to abuse. Although regret was expressed that the accident should happened to the Berhampore player, it was decided to inform him that dental injuries were not covered by the accident fund rules.