Gym buff out-muscled by Markerstudy after dishonest claim

A man who was able to pull an eight-tonne tractor after claiming to be injured following a crash has been caught out by Markerstudy and legal advisers HF.

The claimant was travelling in a vehicle that was involved in a collision on 15 August 2022 and made a claim to Markerstudy, which was for the at fault party.

He alleged various injuries, with his symptoms meaning that he was restricted shopping, carrying out DIY, sleeping and getting in and out of the bath.

However, less than two weeks after the accident, the claimant took part in the Peak District Highland Games, with him being pictured taking part in a number of events.

This included him pulling an eight-tonne tractor for just over a minute, carrying stones weighing 170kg for 50 metres and log pressing 120kg eight times in a minute.

Further competition

The claimant was also examined in September 2022 and January 2023 and still claimed to be injured.

He was still said to be injured when going onto compete in Yorkshire’s Most Powerful in May 2023. This featured similar events and he finished fourth.

The claimant tried to blame some of the errors in his symptoms on the medical expert who examined him and one of the handlers at his solicitors.

An expert refuted the suggestions and his solicitors came off the court record. He then ended up dropping his claim and paying £15,000 in legal costs.

Graeme Mulvoy, partner at HF, said: “Where we suspect fraud is taking place, we are relentless in pursuing the truth on behalf of our clients, so that they’re able to provide the best possible service to their customers.

“This case saw absolutely the right outcome and hopefully it will act as a deterrent to others considering inflating a claim.”