Simon Vaughan successfully defends Council against £1 million compensation claim

June 5, 2019

Simon Vaughan from Exchange Chambers, instructed by Forbes Solicitors, has successfully defended Blackburn and Darwen Council against a £1 million compensation claim.

Nadia Nazir, 40, took legal action demanding compensation totalling £990,631 to cover damages and care costs after she was injured in Blackburn in December 2014.

She said she had been left unable to perform simple tasks and would need the huge sum to cover ongoing care, including further surgery and physiotherapy.

But officials became suspicious and a covert surveillance operation recorded her on camera going shopping with a friend and carrying bags using both hands and shoulders.

Judge Richard Hartley QC rejected Nazir’s claim at Burnley County Court, saying the details she gave were ‘completely unbelievable’ and that ‘greed took over’.

He said: “I am not satisfied that the claimant received anywhere near the level of care claimed. It is wholly and grossly dishonestly claimed.

“This is more care than one would expect if the claimant had been paralysed from the waist down.”

Nick Holgate, of Forbes Solicitors said: “It’s testament to the dogged efforts and approach of not only us at Forbes, but also Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Insurance Department, their Insurers, Zurich and our barrister, Mr Simon Vaughan, that we were able to achieve this successful outcome and protect those public funds which are vital to support other services.”

The Claimant was found to be fundamentally dishonest and was ordered to pay the Defendant’s costs.