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Construction site accident claim
26/02/2008
Can't walk, can't tie shoelaces but quite good at football
A self-employed builder who was seeking to claim more than £100,000 in construction site accident compensation from his former employer has had his claim scuppered by the emergence of film footage of him playing football and performing labour-intensive building work.
The builder, who made his construction site accident claim for a 2001 fall from height, claimed that he struggled to tie his own shoelaces and had difficulty walking. The emergence of the footage, videoed by the defendant's father, casts serious doubt on the integrity of the claimant's assertions.
A letter sent to the defendant in 2005 by the would-be claimant's workplace injury solicitor details how the builder had hoped to claim for much more than just his personal injury. It said, "The lower back pain is exacerbated by prolonged sitting or lying or with repeated bending or lifting. He has difficulties with long distance driving. He also has difficulty putting on socks and tying shoelaces.
"He continues to be unable to carry out the heavier tasks required in the building trade. He has, accordingly, been required to employ extra staff. As a result, the pursuer has sustained a loss of earnings and continues to do so."
Although the footage might have put an end to the claimant's hopes of a large payout, his fraudulent construction site accident claim continues to have an impact on the life of the defendant, who was forced to endure four years of uncertainty surrounding the claim. He told press, "This has been an absolute nightmare for me and my family.
"This man made out he couldn't walk and needed his dad to do up his laces when it was obvious there was nothing wrong with him.
"The footage of him playing football and working on a roof shows the scam for what it was but it still doesn't really help me.
"We've paid out thousands in legal costs and I have lost my health and my business.
"I couldn't understand the description of his injuries and ailments. None of it rang true.
"I didn't get any legal aid and just couldn't take the pressure of the case. I went from having a solid business and a really good reputation to someone who couldn't do anything."
