Barrister
who lost bid for £250k
car crash payout after
being seen on four-
hourwaterfall walk while claiming
to be disabled
is struck off
Barrister who lost bid for £250k car crash payout after being seen on
four-hour waterfall walk while claiming to be disabled is struck off
By OLIVIA ALLHUSEN
Published: 11:52 GMT, 14 November 2024 | Updated: 12:07 GMT, 14 November 2024
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A barrister has been struck off after her £250,000 car crash insurance• Страхование claim
was found to be fake - as social media pictures showed she had embarked on
arduous 10k waterfall hike despite saying she could barely walk 100 yards.
Claire Thomas, from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, also attended a music concert by
singer Pink• Музыка » Музыканты » Исполнители, возглавлявшие Billboard Hot 100 » группа "Пинк", went on trips to Switzerland and Scotland, attended Six Nation
Rugby Games, and volunteered to help at Leeds Music Festival• Музыка » Музыкальные мероприятия » Музыкальные фестивали
• Форумы, конференции » Фестивали » Культурные фестивали » Музыкальные фестивали.
The lawyer asserted she suffered soft tissue injuries, migraines, and
psychological problems some three years after a van crashed into the rear of
her stationary car in 2016.
Ms Thomas tried to claim for the enormous six figure sum and said that even on
a 'good day' she couldn't walk further than 90 metres or stand for more than
15 minutes, it was heard.
But, insurance company• Страхование » Страховые компании LV=, whose policyholder's van had struck her vehicle,
grew 'suspicious' of her symptoms and asked a law firm to investigate.
They found the barrister had been 'fundamentally dishonest' in her account
after social media pictures showed her take part in various 'strenuous'
activities, including a hike up South Wales' Brecon Beacons.
Barrister, Claire Thomas, was struck off after her £250,000 car crash
insurance• Страхование claim was found to be fake
Claire Thomas (pictured), tried to claim over £250,000 after the 2016 crash,
saying the suffered physical injuries as well as migraines and psychological
problems but social media pictures showed she had embarked on arduous 10km
waterfall hike despite saying she could barely walk 100 yards
Now, a disciplinary tribunal has disbarred the lawyer for her 'dishonest'
behaviour after they found she 'presented inaccurate accounts of her symptoms'
which she 'knew to be false'.
On July 22, 2016, Ms Thomas, from Merthyr Tydfil, was driving her Vauxhall
Astra along an a-road towards Aberdare when a van driver collided with the
back of her stationary vehicle.
Some three years later, in July 2019, Ms Thomas issued proceedings, claiming
that as a result of the incident she had sustained soft tissue damage to her
neck, head, shoulders, and back as well as a concussion injury, it was
reported.
She said she suffered 'psychological consequences' as a result of the accident
- including flashbacks, travel anxiety and low mood.
Ms Thomas insisted her 'mobility was severely restricted' and that 'even on a
good day she could walk a maximum of 100 yards before stopping'.
She said that her standing was limited to 10-15 minutes, and that she always
required a handrail on steps.
The lawyer sought significant damages for past and future loss of earnings,
past and future care, and assistance.
A court hearing found that her case was 'unusual' as despite extensive
investigations by experts - no person was able to identify any 'organic cause'
for the ongoing pain, apart from for an initial few months post-accident.
For this reason, the lawyer was investigated by the firm Clyde & Co.
Pictured: Henrhyd Falls near Coelbren in the Brecon Beacons National Park
A review of her social media found evidence of her walking along 'very rough'
and 'slippery' paths while undertaking the famous Four Waterfalls Walk in the
Brecon Beacons (pictured)
They found her claims 'contrasted' with her social media posts - including
pictures which showed her 'standing behind a waterfall'.
The firm said she had walked the Four Falls Trial in the Brecon Beacons
mountain range, which is a 10km walk which had taken her four hours to
complete.
In addition, she took an 'optional strenuous detour down' to Sgwd yr Eira
waterfalls, which has 170 steps and a rough, slippery path behind the
waterfall.
There was also 'surveillance evidence' which showed Ms Thomas walking 'beyond
her claimed capacity', attending gym classes, and using flights of steps
without the handrail, including steps 'covered in snow and ice'.
Read More
Woman fighting for £250,000 payout over car crash she said left her disabled
loses case after she is spotted enjoying four-hour waterfall walk and
volunteering at music festival• Музыка » Музыкальные мероприятия » Музыкальные фестивали
• Форумы, конференции » Фестивали » Культурные фестивали » Музыкальные фестивали
Clive & Co added that social media showed that she had attended weddings,
various family events and a music concert at the Principality Stadium in
Cardiff.
There were trips to Copenhagen, Switzerland, Scotland, Venice and Rome - to
watch the Six Nations Rugby - and Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire and she
volunteered at Leeds Festival, the firm said.
Ms Thomas - who was called to the bar in 2008 - offered 'no credible
explanation' for her 'inconsistencies' and tried to argue that she had 'good
days' and 'bad days'.
The case was heard at Cardiff County Court last year, and Ms Thomas' claim was
dismissed by Judge Robert Harrison, who said she had 'not presented a truthful
account of her symptoms'.
He said she had been 'fundamentally dishonest' and ordered her to pay
£9,918.75 in costs.
Now, after a hearing from the The Bar Tribunals And Adjudication Service, the
lawyer has been struck off.
The panel said: 'Claire Thomas, an unregistered barrister, behaved in a way
likely to diminish the trust and confidence that the public places in her
and/or the profession, and/or behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen
by the public to undermine her honesty and integrity.'
They said this arose when she 'presented inaccurate accounts of her symptoms'
which she 'knew to be false'.
Pink• Музыка » Музыканты » Исполнители, возглавлявшие Billboard Hot 100 » группа "Пинк"