Bath chasing compensation from South Africa
Bath has confirmed that the club is seeking compensation from South Africa Rugby due to the injury to fly half Butch James.
James picked up a shoulder injury while playing for South Africa during the recent Tri-Nations. The Bath man is now out of action until November at the very earliest although club officials have confirmed
he is back in light training.
"We're making enquiries because when he's injured elsewhere there's a responsibility to look after him. We're now monitoring him here following a successful operation,"
performance director Sir Ian McGeechan said.
Bath is entitled to pursue a line of compensation because the club has been forced to start the Premiership season without a vital player. Any compensation awarded could be used in a variety of ways.
Important compensation
Any compensation could be put towards the medical bills that Bath has received so far this season. The player has to be treated at Bath and private medical bills can stack up and quickly form a huge amount
to be paid.
Some compensation will have to go to the player because he is not able to play. This means James is not able to access any bonus fees for scoring or playing that may be tied down in his contract. This
is not fair on the player and a clear reason for compensation.
The club will also have bills to pay for the use of outside medical staff. These bills will not be as great but Bath will still feel it's South Africa's duty to pay up.
McGeechan added: "He's already back with the players but we feel there is a responsibility to take when and where those injuries occur."
James was part of South Africa's hugely disappointing Tri Nations effort, which saw them go 1-2 against Australia and 0-3 New Zealand for a total record of 1-5, the exact of their 5-1 2009 Tri Nations
record.
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