A rugby league player who suffered a brain injury in a tackle is suing.

Thirty-two-year-old Liam Cullen has filed a claim in the Brisbane Supreme Court for $1.4 million to cover medical costs and loss of income after the alleged 2014 high shot in which an opposing player swung his right arm and made direct contact with Mr Cullen’s head, knocking him unconscious.

The claim alleges that the tackle was intentional and in breach of the rules.

Mr Cullen ended up being treated at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital brain injury rehabilitation unit, for alleged injuries including neurocognitive deficits, post-traumatic headaches and anxiety.

Mr Cullen’s lawyer Nick Hart, from Shine Lawyers, said; “He's going to have to live with this condition for the rest of his life”.

“We want to try and set him up so that he can get the treatment he requires - had it not been for the injury he would've been in a position where he could've provided for his kids more comfortably,” Mr Hart said.

“We really want people to understand the serious consequences that could be had when players don't play within the rules of the game, the rules are there to protect the players.”