Fraudster’s £6.6m claim dismissed by court

A fraudster who tried to seek over £6.6m in claims following a motorcycle crash has been stopped in his tracks by Keoghs and Hastings Direct.

The case involved a four-and-a-half-year investigation after an accident where the claimant injured all four of his limbs.

Following an interim payment of £150,000 by Hastings Direct, the claimant sought £6.6m, including the cost of high-end luxury cars and business class trips abroad.

However, investigations by Keoghs discovered evidence he had not only exaggerated his claims, but had taken part in a number of extreme sports.

He was found to have been dishonest by a court – this is the largest case to date to be dismissed for dishonesty, both in terms of the £6.6m sought and the court’s valuation of the genuine claim at £1.2m.

Peter Lane, head of large and complex loss at Hastings Direct, said: “This is a fantastic result and one that has been achieved through great collaboration between the team at Hastings Direct, our panel lawyers Keoghs and Counsel.

“Hastings Direct is committed to protecting the honest customer and combating fraudulent claims that can drive up the cost of insurance premiums for all customers.”

What happened

After being instructed in August 2019 following the crash, Keoghs surveillance agents recorded the claimant walking 900 metres unaided, whilst carrying his young son in a baby carrier.

This was despite him claiming that he was only able to walk 200 metres with a stick.

Following this, Hastings Direct and Keoghs worked together to uncover a picture of his life and the genuine value of his claim.

This involved surveillance, deep web searches, numerous applications for disclosure of documents and detailed cross-referencing to look for further discrepancies.

The result of enquiries revealed the claimant had been certified by his GP as fit for a tandem skydive, had undertaken a BASE jump in Italy, as well as having participated in indoor and outdoor climbing in the UK.

Records revealed he also managed to ascend Mount Snowdon with a friend using an electric mountain bike.

Court

However, the claimant maintained he had poor mobility and persisted in his claims for a substantial care package, an expensive Land Rover or Mercedes to transport his mobility scooter, bungalow accommodation in an affluent area and business class travel for trips abroad.

The court found he had been dishonest to such an extent it had polluted his entire case, even the valid parts of it.

In turn, his claim was dismissed and he was ordered to pay the costs incurred by Hastings Direct, while at the same time refunding the £150,000 he had received at the outset.

Mike Pope, partner and case lead at Keoghs, said: “We’re delighted with the judgement of this case which culminates years and months of diligent work.

“The judgement provided by the court represents a precedent for all similar future cases in its analysis of dishonesty sufficient to dismiss a very serious claim, the circumstances when such dishonesty may be excused, and the costs orders which flow from these decisions.”