Car crash news
25/08/2011

Facebook uncovers compensation claim fraud

A man who was awarded road traffic accident compensation after suffering personal injuries has been jailed for fabricating parts of his original claim.

The claimant had been awarded £1,850 in compensation back in January 2010 after he claimed that a road traffic accident had left him with a back injury as well as psychological injuries which had affected his day-to-day life and ability to work.

He claimed that he had become reliant on a wheelchair for travelling long distances since the accident and relied on help from his wife to get around. He had also stated that due to the injuries sustained he and his wife had been unable to go caravanning.

His wife also gave a statement supporting her husband's claims.

Following the trial, surveillance evidence has been revealed that shows the claimant preparing for a caravan holiday in Italy along with Facebook photographs of the couple on their 2,000 mile trip.

The insurers that paid out the compensation have since sought permission to bring contempt proceedings against the man and his wife, suggesting that many of the claims he made were untrue.

Although the claimant denied the accusation that he had made false statements in his road traffic accident compensation claim, he was found guilty and jailed for nine months, while his wife received a six-month suspended sentence.