Fundamental dishonesty in PI claims

O'Connell v The Ministry of Defence [2025] EWHC 2301 (KB)

Allegations are being made with increasing frequency by defendants that claims have been fundamentally dishonest in exaggerating their claims for damages. In due course, legal teams acting for claimants will no doubt warn them of the possibility that their conduct could be scrutinised in court if defendants' lawyers have any reason to doubt their honesty. The case outlined here not only raises some important points about liability for accidents involving animals, but also, and more dramatically, the issues surrounding claims where the compensation claimed is grossly exaggerated.