Lawyers are planning to launch an AFL concussion class action. 

A Melbourne law firm, Margalit Injury Lawyers, has announced its intention to file a class action lawsuit against the Australian Football League (AFL) on behalf of former players who are suffering from the effects of concussion. 

The firm has spoken to numerous male and female players and believes that those who have suffered severe injuries could receive compensation of over $2 million each for their pain and suffering, as well as economic loss. 

The proposed lawsuit follows similar class actions in the United States brought by American footballers against the National Football League (NFL), which resulted in a $1 billion settlement.

The AFL has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to the issue of concussion and head knocks in football, particularly following the deaths of former players Shane Tuck and Danny Frawley, who were diagnosed post-mortem with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated blows to the head. 

None of the injured players who have spoken to Margalit Injury Lawyers have received any compensation for their injuries sustained while playing AFL.

The law firm is also calling for an overhaul of current workers' compensation schemes, given that professional sports players are currently exempt from coverage. 

AFL players are excluded from seeking WorkCover in Victoria, preventing them from making claims for medical expenses and weekly payments. 

Margalit Injury Lawyers has lodged a submission with the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs, which is currently conducting an inquiry into the impact of concussion in contact sports. 

The inquiry has received a number of submissions from individuals and groups, all making recommendations for change, including adapted rules, more research funding, and an Australia-wide concussion registry.