Bell damage claim

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday March 31, 2011

Samantha Lane

AFL. A Melbourne footballer diagnosed with brain damage that has been linked to multiple concussions he sustained over a 66-match AFL career is seeking damages through the AFL Players' Association compensation claim procedures. Daniel Bell, the No.14 draft pick of 2002 who the Demons delisted last year, has lodged his claim after a neuropsychologist found his cognitive function had deteriorated significantly. Bell, 25, had planned to continue playing this year but has been strongly advised against it given the risk of further damage. If his compensation case is approved, he stands to be awarded 50 per cent of the base wage of his last contract. It is a sum of under $100,000, but a claim Bell has agonised over pursuing. "I still love the club and I don't want to put them out," he said. He stressed he is not claiming Demons' doctors mismanaged him.