A Claimant Taxi Driver from Essex has pleaded guilty to being in contempt at the High Court in London after admitting that he was fraudulent in pursuing his claim for personal injury compensation.
The Claimant was pursuing a claim for personal injury compensation following his involvement in a road traffic accident back in 2006. The Defendant insurers, Aviva, initially offered the taxi driver the sum of £17,500 to settle his claim for compensation on the basis that the injuries sustained by him in the accident forced him into early retirement.
The offer of £17,500 was later withdrawn when video footage contradicted the evidence given by the Claimant that he was no longer able to work. He recovered only £500 in respect of his claim for personal injury compensation but had to pay the Defendant’s insurers legal costs in the sum of £3,000. It should be noted that the Claimant in this case only escaped being sent to prison because he was seriously ill, another person finding themselves in that situation could well find themselves heading for a period at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
This is a stark warning to anyone who is tempted to bring a fraudulent claim, or to exaggerate a genuine claim. Defendant insurers are relying on video evidence more frequently when they have suspicions that all is not quite right with a claim. Genuine Claimants of course have no cause for concern.
If you have been injured in an accident which you believe is the fault of someone else and want to explore whether you have a claim for Personal Injury Compensation, please contact one of our Specialist Personal Injury Solicitors:
Julie McCallion or Selina Martin at our Kempston office on 01234 858000.
