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Court To Decide Fate For Accident Claims Fraudster

A conman has sued a council for thousands of pounds, claiming he had broken his ankle tripping on a pavement, when in actual fact the injury was caused during a game of football . The fraudster, David Cairns, received a £9,200 compensation payout from Wigan Council in Greater Manchester for his false accident claim. However now, after years have passed, his lies have been discovered and he could face a jail sentence.

The 44-year-old, of Stratton Drive, Platt Bridge, near Wigan, admitted perjury and obtaining a money transfer by deception when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court. The court heard Cairns sued the local authority at Wigan County Court in December 2000, with allegations that he had broken his ankle tripping over a pavement in Tram Street, Platt Bridge.

His case was supported by his nephew, Anthony Purves, 31, of Dawlish Way, Golborne, who confirmed his story in court.

However Wigan Council remained suspicious about Cairns’ claim and carried out further investigations which eventually revealed he had in actuality broken his ankle playing football at Wigan’s JJB Soccerdome. Purves also appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and admitted perjury. Both men have been remanded on bail to await sentence on May 12.

A spokesman for Wigan council explained: “This case goes to show that if you are a fraudster you’re always going to be looking over your shoulder - even if you strike lucky first time around. Compensation claims cost real money. They hit council services and they hit the people that pay for those services through their council tax.This was an elaborate fraud and hopefully the pair of them will get the sentence they deserve come May.

“All compensation claims are subject to careful scrutiny by a former fraud investigator, with background checks to detect ‘serial slippers’ who trip all over the country and have a history of making claims. The council’s insurers carry out their own checks too.The amount of compensation awarded to Cairns was £9,200, but when you add in legal fees the cost to the council was nearer £30,000.

“Wherever we think a fraud has been committed we will not give up until we have established the truth, since we are dealing with considerable sums of council taxpayers’ money. Anyone making exaggerated or fraudulent claims can expect a rough ride. We won’t be a cash-cow for the conmen.”

Financial News provider Obudsman reported: ‘fraudulent and dishonest claims are a major problem for the insurance industry and fraud is alleged in a number of the cases we see. These can be difficult to assess. To establish that fraud has taken place, some concrete evidence of lies, inconsistent statements or acts of deception must be present. The fact that members of a firm’s staff are personally satisfied of the claimant’s bad faith is not sufficient proof of dishonesty.’

However, two of five Americans want little to no punishment for insurance cheats; blaming the insurance industry for its fraud problems because they believe insurers are unfair.

Considering the amount of bureaucracy involved in the processing of a claim, this is hardly surprising. Furthermore, six states still do not have specific insurance fraud laws, thus discouraging many prosecutors from tackling tough fraud cases. Courts are getting tougher on convicted schemers, but jail sentences continue to be light, with courts often reserving space in overcrowded prisons for people convicted of more violent crimes. Professional societies overseeing doctors and lawyers are often reluctant to discipline peers convicted of insurance fraud. There appears to be a lack of balance between the number and variety of insurance companies avidly seeking customers, and the legal’s system management of the recent increase.

Sofia is an author of several articles pertaining to No Win No Fee, Compensation Claims, Personal Injury Claims and other legal articles.

Court To Decide Fate For Accident Claims Fraudster / Author: Sofia Abasolo

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