Australian sport looks at concussion like big tobacco sees smoking, inquiry told

Kirby Sefo, who played rugby for more than a decade before concussion forced her to stop, told the inquiry she was unable to work because of her symptoms. Photograph: James Worsfold/Getty Images

The sport industry’s treatment of concussion is like the tobacco industry’s defence of smoking, and the legal system is “stacked against players” seeking redress for their injuries, an Australian Senate inquiry has heard.

Jamie Shine, manager of head trauma litigation at Shine Lawyers, on Wednesday told the inquiry into concussions and repeated head trauma in contact sport that people suffering even mild traumatic brain injuries had their symptoms downplayed or misdiagnosed by medical professionals.