Teresa has been representing Defendant insurers in claims encompassing suspicions and / or allegations of fraud for over 15 years and has had notable success in securing findings of fundamental dishonesty against Claimants in a large number of those claims.
Teresa has particular expertise in respect of claims arising out of road traffic accidents and her practice includes:
• Bogus / phantom passengers
• Staged accidents
• Exaggerated claims
• Low velocity impacts
• Fabricated credit hire, storage, recovery
• Fraud rings.
Teresa is usually involved in these claims from the early stages and she has particular experience of and expertise in assessing the quality of the available evidence relating to the potential for findings of fraud. She is frank and forthcoming in relation to those cases in which the likelihood of a finding of fraud is limited, thereby enabling early settlement and reduced costs exposure for the insurers in such cases.
She is frequently instructed to draft the defences and Part 18 requests in such cases and her drafting style is comprehensive but succinct.
She has been instructed in countless trials involving allegations of fraud, her preparation is detailed and comprehensive and is often remarked upon by those who instruct her and by the trial judges.
Her preparation work lays the foundation for her tenacious cross-examination of Claimants and witnesses, for which she has an excellent reputation. Her attention to detail in the execution of the cross-examination is renowned and is frequently commented upon in judgments following trials in these claims.
Teresa is also a costs specialist which serves her well in respect of the operation of QOWCS, the impact of findings of fundamental dishonesty and the application of s.57 CJCA 2015.
Recent case examples:
• Dismissal of claim under s.57 and QOWCS disapplied following findings of fundamental dishonesty on the part of a young Claimant who was found to have exaggerated the cosmetic / psychological impact of scarring.
• Findings of fundamental dishonesty against a Claimant following cross-examination on basis of detailed and complex medical history – QOWCS disapplied.
• Dismissal of claim under s.57 and QOWCS disapplied following findings of fundamental dishonesty against a Claimant who attempted to conceal a previous claims and accident history.
Memberships
Personal Injuries Bar Association
Formerly a member of the Bar Council representing barristers under seven years call
Qualifications
LLB (Hons) (Birmingham)
